The Nissan Formula E Team is looking for a solid start to the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil, having completed a successful week of pre-season testing in Valencia in October.
The event will mark Formula E’s fourth visit to Brazil, competing on the Anhembi Sambadrome, with the main straight situated on the location of the world-renowned Carnival of São Paulo, in the north of the city.
Drivers’ World Champion Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato will look to build on the learnings from previous races at this venue. Rowland finished on the podium at the São Paulo Street Circuit in the 2023/24 campaign, while both drivers showed excellent pace at the track last December, battling at the front of the field for the majority of the event before penalties denied the team points.
The 2.93-kilometre circuit is bumpy and high-speed with several heavy braking zones, challenging the drivers throughout the weekend and offering the best overtaking opportunities into Turns 1, 4 and 7. This year’s event is one lap shorter than in 2024, making for a faster race with less need for energy saving.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal of the Nissan Formula E Team, said: “The whole team is ready go racing again and build on what was a very positive Season 11.
“We know we must hit the ground running in São Paulo as the Formula E grid is set to be even more competitive this year. We know we can do well at this circuit as we had great pace here last season, but every team now has a year’s worth of experience with the GEN3 Evo cars and the tyres, which will tighten the field. Every move and every point could make a difference, so we’re striving for a smooth weekend without mistakes.”
Good rhythm
Driver Oliver Rowland said: “I’m looking forward to being out on-track in Brazil and starting the new campaign as defending Drivers’ World Champion. It’s a new season so our focus is once again on maximising our performance throughout as the field will be even tighter. It’s a tricky circuit, there is minimal grip as well as it being quite bumpy.
“Managing the temperatures in the hot weather is going to be crucial and it’ll also be important to settle into a good rhythm from FP1. I led the majority of the São Paulo E-Prix last year, of course there has been a lot of racing since then, but I will be aiming to fight at the front again to ensure a strong start to the new season.”
Fellow driver Norman Nato said: “I’m excited to be back and ready to kick off the season in São Paulo. We prepared well at pre-season testing, we were mainly working on improving our procedures and on some technical areas but we showed great speed on the final day to top the timesheets. It’s important to start the season well – it grows confidence within yourself and in the team, and it creates a good atmosphere around the garage.”