Report: Sacha Fenestraz to leave Nissan - next Formula E comeback for Norman Nato?

So far, it looked more likely that Nissan's driver pairing would remain unchanged for Formula E season 11. However, The Race now reports that Oliver Rowland and Sacha Fenestraz will not be competing together for another season, with the latter leaving the team. Norman Nato is the favourite to return to Nissan. Three other names might also be hoping for a full-time position with the Japanese outfit.

Sacha Fenestraz had a solid rookie season in 2023: A pole position in Cape Town and two fourth places hinted at great potential. He signed a three-year contract with Nissan and was likely to become an important component of Nissan's Formula E programme in the future. But that's all in the past - Fenestraz is said to have been informed of an early termination of his contract in mid-August.

For the still young Franco-Argentinian, his time in Formula E would have come to an end for the time being. The reason for this is Fenestraz's poor 2023 season. While team-mate Rowland finished fourth in the drivers' standings despite missing a race weekend due to illness, Fenestraz was only able to finish 17th, with 130 points separating the two team-mates! Despite rumoured talks with Lola and ERT, there is little hope of him remaining in the electric racing series.

"I was told around the beginning of August that I was staying, but everything has now changed apparently," Fenestraz confirms his Nissan exit to Motorsport.com. "Now I’m trying to find a solution for my career, to stay in Formula E. But being told so late means it will be difficult to stay, as most seats are already taken."

"There are two options, but it is late," says Fenestraz - presumably he is talking about ABT and ERT. "The season ended nearly two months ago now and most contracts are signed before then. The chances are slim at the moment.“There might be some chances in WEC, and there’s also a possibility of going back to Japan, but first we’ll see if there’s any chance of staying in Formula E or not."

A return to Japan seems most likely: "I love it in Japan, I love the culture, I love the racing there with noisy, high-downforce cars," Fenestraz describes.

Frenchman for Frenchman?

One candidate for the cockpit alongside Rowland is Norman Nato. Before moving to Andretti, the Frenchman was already driving alongside Fenestraz at Nissan. Back then, he clearly beat the then rookie. Afterwards, Nato has had to leave Andretti due to another poor season in 2024. Despite his one-year absence, he and his manager apparently maintained a good relationship with Nissan, from which he could now benefit.

However, there would still be something to clarify before signing: Nato has presumably already taken precautions and signed a long-term contract with Jota in the WEC. This contract is likely to have priority, and if the WEC and Formula E racing calendars overlap, Nato would probably have to sit in the prototype. For this reason, Caio Collet, Victor Martins and Sergio Sette Camara from Team ERT are also rumoured to be hoping for the seat.

Collet impressed as Rowland's replacement at the Portland E-Prix, but is more likely to drive another year in the Indy NXT. Martins last tested for Nissan in 2023 and is currently 9th in Formula 2 as an Alpine Junior. A move into Formula E would be possible, but unlikely. Sette Camara, on the other hand, is still looking for an alternative to ERT and brings a lot of experience and talent with him. Although it is more likely that the Brazilian will remain at ERT, a seat at Nissan would finally be a step forward for him.