The Nissan Formula E Team secured a points finish in Round 12 of the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Portland, with Norman Nato taking P9 on the series’ first vist to the city.
The team displayed excellent qualifying pace, with Sacha Fenestraz and Nato both starting in the top-three. Running in Group A, the pair were immediately strong, as Fenestraz took top spot, ahead of Nato in third.
After both won their quarter-final duel, they came up against each other in the semi-final for the second time this season, with the Franco-Argentine moving on to the final.
After a hectic start to the race, the duo were in the fight for the lead in the early stages, before contact meant Fenestraz had to come in for a new front wing.
Nato led and showed strong speed, but in a chaotic event, was shuffled down the order after taking his second Attack Mode, eventually securing points in ninth. Meanwhile, despite a good initial fightback after the stop, Fenestraz crossed the finish line in 15th.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “It was a challenging race weekend, where we achieved a great result in qualifying, showing how fast we can be, but it was a chaotic race.
Take the positives
“A small contact compromised Sacha’s run, and after leading several laps, Norman didn’t have the pace in the car to stay at the front and lost a few positions.
“We didn’t score as many points as we hoped for, but we have to take the positives. We have a quick car in qualifying and from tomorrow our focus turns to the next race.”
Formula E returns on July 15 & 16 when the series visits Rome for the penultimate race weekend of the season.