Ahead of their entry into the Formula E Championship, newcomers Nissan have purchased shares in the championship-winning e.dams team.
Nissan have taken over Renault’s entry in the Formula E Championship for season five and will take over as backers of the e.dams team, becoming the first Japanese OEM to enter the all-electric series.
Increasing their ties with e.dams, Nissan have now decided to buy shares in the Le Mans-based team, although the amounts and value of the shares are not known.
Prior to the inaugural season of Formula E, the e.dams team was created by DAMS, who have over 30 years of motor racing experience.
For the first four seasons they had a very successful partnership with Renault, winning the drivers’ championship in season two with Sebastien Buemi and the teams’ championship in the first three seasons. They also hold the record for the most wins and pole positions in Formula E.
“For Nissan’s first Formula E experience, it makes sense to partner with e.dams and be able to draw on the organisation’s experience of winning races and championships,” said Roel de Vries, Nissan corporate vice president and global head of marketing and brand strategy.
“The level of competition in Formula E will get even more intense for season five, with a series-mandated all-new car and powertrain. As part of our commitment to our partnership, Nissan has now purchased an ownership stake in the organisation, and we’re excited to work with Jean-Paul and his team.”
With Renault being the parent company of Nissan, the takeover has been made a simpler one, and Nissan will effectively carry on the Renault development. The Japanese OEM also inherit Renault’s powertrain development.
Although season two champion Sebastien Buemi is the favourite to stay on at the team, no official driver line-up has been confirmed.
Nico Prost decided to leave the team at the end of last season, ending the four-year Buemi-Prost partnership, which was the joint-longest driver pairing in Formula E.
