Nissan Formula E Team has appointed seasoned Formula E star Sam Bird as its reserve and development driver for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. Bird, one of the championship’s most successful and recognizable competitors since the series’ launch in 2014, will support the team’s race drivers while playing a central role in simulator work and technical development.
Over more than a decade in Formula E, Bird has started 144 races, secured 27 podium finishes, and taken 12 victories, ranking him among the all-time winningest drivers in the series. His most recent win came in Season 10 (2023/24) at the São Paulo E‑Prix, driving the Nissan e‑4ORCE 04 package for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, then a Nissan customer operation.
Experience Across All Eras of Formula E
Bird is one of a select group of drivers to have won races with all three generations of Formula E machinery, underscoring his adaptability and technical feel. He claimed victory in the championship’s second‑ever race in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and has been a title contender in multiple campaigns.
That breadth of experience is expected to be a major asset to Nissan as the team continues to fine‑tune its current GEN3 Evo package and prepare for the upcoming GEN4 era. Bird’s deep familiarity with Nissan’s powertrain from the past two seasons means he can contribute immediately to performance programs both at the track and in the simulator.
Strong Lineup Around Rowland and Nato
For Season 12 (2025/26), Nissan’s race seats are occupied by Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato, with Bird joining them in a supporting but strategically important capacity. The British driver already enjoys a strong working relationship with both Rowland and Nato, and has emphasized his desire to assist them in extracting maximum performance from the car.
Bird is set to provide detailed feedback on setup direction, energy management strategies, and race simulations, helping Nissan chase consistent podiums and victories. His development input will also feed into the manufacturer’s longer‑term technical roadmap as regulations evolve.
Nissan’s Long-Term Formula E Commitment
Nissan entered Formula E in Season 5 (2018/19), becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer on the all‑electric grid. The brand confirmed its long‑term involvement in the series during Season 7, committing to the GEN3 regulations that span from Season 9 (2022/23) through Season 12 (2025/26).
In April 2022, Nissan strengthened its position by acquiring the e.dams race team, taking full ownership of its Formula E program. The move consolidated the manufacturer’s racing operations and aligned them closely with its broader electrification strategy and road‑car technology development.
Looking Ahead to the GEN4 Era
On March 28, 2024, ahead of the inaugural Tokyo E‑Prix, Nissan became the first manufacturer to formally sign up for the GEN4 era, which will run through 2030. This commitment reinforces the company’s Ambition 2030 vision and its target to achieve carbon neutrality across operations and the full life cycle of its products by 2050.
Nissan intends to electrify every all‑new vehicle offering in key markets by the early 2030s, using Formula E as a high‑pressure test bed for advanced electric powertrain and energy‑management technologies. Lessons learned on the racetrack are intended to translate directly into more efficient, more engaging EVs for customers worldwide.
Champion Momentum into Season 12
Season 11 (2024/25) marked a milestone for Nissan Formula E Team, as Oliver Rowland secured the Drivers’ World Championship with a dominant campaign. Rowland took seven podium finishes, including four wins, and claimed three pole positions, wrapping up the title with two races remaining in the season.
That success has set high expectations for Season 12, with Nissan looking to build on its winning momentum. Bird’s arrival in the reserve and development role is designed to strengthen the squad’s depth, sharpen its technical edge, and support another run at championship honors.
Formula E as a Technology and Sustainability Platform
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the world’s premier all‑electric single‑seater series and the first global sport to achieve net‑zero carbon status from inception, having offset emissions from every season since launch. The championship’s city‑center street races highlight sustainable mobility in the urban environments most affected by air pollution and congestion.
All Formula E cars are powered exclusively by electricity, with the series acting as a proving ground for cutting‑edge EV technologies, including powertrain efficiency, battery management, and software‑driven performance. For manufacturers like Nissan, the championship provides a direct, real‑time link between motorsport innovation and next‑generation production EVs.
