New Numbers, Same Signature Look: Nissan Formula E Team Prepares for Season 12 at Valencia Test

The countdown to the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is officially on, and the Nissan Formula E Team is gearing up to hit the track for the first time this season. The team will complete five days of pre-season testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, from 27–31 October, as preparations ramp up for another exciting campaign.

Rowland to Run #1 as World Champion

After a landmark Season 11 that saw Nissan Formula E Team celebrate seven podiums, four victories, and three pole positions, reigning Drivers’ World Champion Oliver Rowland returns to action - this time sporting the coveted #1 car. His teammate, Norman Nato, will switch to the team’s traditional #23, marking the start of a fresh chapter for the pair.

With a record 17 races on the Season 12 calendar, Nissan is focused on building on its strong performance in what will be the final year of the GEN3 Evo era. The team’s week in Valencia will play a crucial role in fine-tuning the car before the season opener in São Paulo on 6 December.

Iconic Livery and Heritage

Nissan will once again retain its iconic cherry blossom livery, which has become a fan favourite since debuting in Season 9. The design is more than just eye-catching - it symbolises the team’s proud Japanese heritage and has become a defining part of Nissan’s Formula E identity.

Spotlight on Abbi Pulling

On Friday 31 October, the team’s reserve and simulator driver, Abbi Pulling, will take to the track for the second-ever all-women’s test, following her success in topping the same session in 2024. Pulling will drive the Nissan e-4ORCE 05 during two three-hour sessions, gaining valuable track time to complement her ongoing simulator work. Having joined the team officially in June 2025, she also participated in the Berlin Rookie Test earlier this year.

Looking Ahead to Another Strong Season

Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal, Nissan Formula E Team, said:
“We’re looking forward to Pre-Season Testing in Valencia next week as we aim to build on our Season 11 achievements. After winning the Drivers’ World Championship and finishing third in the teams’ standings, our target is to continue with the ascending trajectory we’ve shown in the past few seasons, and to achieve that we need to consistently fight at the top. I believe that our unchanged driver line-up of Oliver and Norman will allow us to secure strong results from the start, with both having knowledge of our car and our systems. We’ll also get to see Abbi in action at the all-women’s test as we look to get her more valuable track time and experience, which will be crucial in her simulator work – especially now that we have our new Dynisma simulator in place. It’s a great opportunity to complete our test program and finalize all the preparation work done in the off-season before heading off to São Paulo.”

The Drivers’ View

Oliver Rowland, Nissan Formula E Team driver, said:
“I can’t wait to get out on-track in Valencia after a great off-season, which involved some much-needed rest and recovery after a manic campaign. I was able to drive our Season 12 car and I know that throughout the upcoming four days of Pre-Season Testing we can improve further ahead of the opener in Brazil. It’s amazing to have the number 1 on my car and I believe that as a team we can defend the title. We want to adopt a similar mentality as what we did in Season 11, taking it race-by-race as we work hard to replicate and improve on our results, which I know we can.”

Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team driver, added:
“I’m feeling ready to go for Pre-Season Testing in Valencia! We did a lot of good work in Season 11, and I’m excited to continue with Nissan Formula E Team. The aim is to be consistently strong and to keep developing as a unit throughout the season. The calendar looks really cool, Miami will be amazing and I’ve also heard great things about Sanya, so I’m looking forward to that one as well. Now we need to continue preparing for the season ahead and take advantage of all the effort we put in last year and during the off-season to fight for strong results from Round 1.”

Abbi Pulling, Nissan Formula E Team rookie and simulator driver, said:
“I’m excited to get back on-track with Nissan Formula E Team and continue helping them to prepare for the upcoming season. My target for this test is to once again get to grips with the car and build on my learnings from the Berlin Rookie Test. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the crew over the past year and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together at the test and in the simulator during the 2025/26 campaign.”

As the new season approaches, Nissan Formula E Team continues to combine Japanese craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and world-class talent - ready to challenge for titles once again in the 2025/26 campaign.

Stay tuned with Western & Barnetts Nissan for updates and results from Valencia and beyond as Nissan prepares to defend its championship crown.