McLaren Racing announced on Thursday a multi-year partnership with Nissan. The Japanese automaker will supply Gen3 powertrains for the team of Woking from the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season.
Nearly a month after confirming its entry to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from Season 9, McLaren Racing signs a multi-year partnership with Nissan that will supply its EV powertrain technology to the British team for the entirety of the Formula E Gen3 era.
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO, outlined: “As we are shaping the team for its first season as McLaren in Formula E, we are naturally seeking the best partnerships and opportunities on every front - with the technical aspect being one of the key areas.”
“Nissan have proven their knowledge, craft, and commitment over the last four seasons in Formula E, and heading into the Gen3 era, we have full confidence that the collaboration will bring both parties much success.”
“This will be a true partnership that will drive both the team’s performance and the development of the Nissan Formula E powertrain technology.”
The team from Woking steps into the Formula E grid from the third generation of the all-electric racing series, following the acquisition of the reigning champion squad, Mercedes-EQ Formula E, as the German manufacturer decided to withdraw from the series by the end of Season 8 to focus on Formula 1.
A strategic step towards electric mobility made by the McLaren Racing family complementing its existing EV racing program in the off-road electric series, Extreme E.
“Our new partnership with McLaren Racing will be a powerful one, as the association will inspire collaboration and knowledge sharing,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s chief operating officer.
Adding: “The pioneering spirit and drive to innovate are characteristics Nissan and McLaren Racing share, making them an ideal partner for us in Formula E and as we continue to electrify our vehicles.”
The Japanese car manufacturer began its journey in Formula E, lining up in Season 5 (2018/19), taking over from French manufacturer Renault, the first constructor to become involved with the all-electric racing series.
Renault e.dams won the Formula E constructor’s title three times and the driver’s title with Swiss racing driver Sebastien Buemi.
Following its commitment to the Gen3 era - Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26), Nissan acquired e.dams, taking full ownership of the team last April.
Therefore, Nissan will collaborate with McLaren sharing its EV powertrain technology as it continues to contest the electric world championship with its own factory team.
Tommaso Volpe, general manager, Nissan Formula E, and managing director, Nissan e.dams Formula E Team, said: “We are proud to announce this multi-year deal with a great motorsports brand such as McLaren Racing.
“Our partnership begins next season with Formula E’s exciting new Gen3 regulations, which will see the performance of the all-electric race cars reach incredible new heights.”
“And our collaboration with McLaren will provide us with even more opportunities to accelerate the development of our technology and showcase it to fans all over the world.”
The zero-emission racing series has become a cutting-edge vehicle technology platform, revolutionizing the motorsport scenario, bringing the best of racing to the world’s most famous city streets while creating climate change awareness.
And from next season, a faster, lighter, high-performance brand new car, the Gen3, will break ground to writing a new chapter in Formula E.
Capable of reaching a top speed of 322 kph / 200 mph and more efficient - around 95% power efficiency from an electric motor, the Gen3 can deliver up to 350kW of power (470BHP), compared to approximately 40% for an internal combustion engine.
Moreover, for the first time in a formula car, linen and recycled carbon fiber will be used in the bodywork construction of the vehicle, reducing its carbon footprint by more than 10%.
ROSENQVIST BACK TO FORMULA E…
On Thursday, McLaren Racing, founded by legendary New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963, also confirmed driver Felix Rosenqvist to remain with the team from next season and beyond.
In that regard, Rosenqvist stated: “I’m delighted to be remaining with McLaren for 2023 and beyond. With the team expanding into Formula E next season, it provides additional opportunities for me both in the USA and Europe, and I look forward to being in a position to announce my plans in the coming weeks.”
The 30-year-old, who joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2019, is currently a driver with the Arrow McLaren SP team.
As McLaren evaluates its driver line-ups for 2023, the Swedish driver could continue to race in the American series or rejoin Formula E from next season.
Rosenqvist contested the all-electric single-seater series from 2016 to 2019, making 25 starts behind the wheel of Mahindra Racing’s car, winning three races, recording six pole positions, and seven podiums under his name.
