The Nissan Formula E Team will be looking to capitalise on their recent qualifying speed as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship travels to Rome for the penultimate race weekend of the 2022/23 season.
Both Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato have shown strong one-lap pace in recent events, with the duo lining up second and third on the grid respectively last time out in Portland.
Now, the team is aiming to convert that qualifying pace into points as it takes on the double-header in the Italian capital, with Formula E set to visit the city for the fifth time.
Debuting on the calendar in 2018, the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR is a driver and fans’ favourite thanks to its challenging layout. The 3.38-kilometre track features 19 corners and winds past several Roman landmarks, including the Marconi Obelisk and Palazzo dei Congressi.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “Rome is a very different circuit to Portland. It’s bumpy, low-grip and has fewer high-speed corners.
“One-lap pace is definitely our strength right now, and qualifying will be crucial here, as the track is narrower and there are fewer overtaking opportunities.
“To be quick in Rome, we’ll need to manage the bumps well – drivers must have full confidence in the car on such a challenging circuit. We brought several updates to the last round in Portland, and we believe they will make even more of a difference on a track like Rome.
“We’re also expecting there to be less of an emphasis on energy saving, which will change the way we tackle the weekend.”
Sacha Fenestraz said: “I’m very excited to be back racing in Europe. It’s important that we have a good weekend because it’s a double header and there’s just two race events to go.”
Good feeling
Norman Nato commented: “I love the Rome layout, it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar. It’s a proper street circuit, with a bumpy layout. I’ve always had a good feeling at this venue ever since my rookie year.
”Over the last couple of months we’ve improved our performance in qualifying and the race, and we’re focusing on showing our pace in Rome and scoring strongly on both days.”