Nissan delays introduction of new Formula E powertrain
The Nissan e.dams Formula E team will no longer debut its new powertrain for the next round in Rome due to a COVID-enforced delay in parts supply.
Nissan, which last week announced exclusively with Motorsport.com that it has signed up to the championship’s forthcoming Gen3 rules, opted not to start the season with a new car.
The FIA amended the homologation windows for the 2021 campaign in response to the pandemic in an effort to reduce costs and account for possible manufacturing delays.
Along with defending teams’ champion DS Techeetah and the Dragon Penske Autosport squad, Nissan e.dams chose to wait until after 5 April this year to bring in a new powertrain.
But Nissan has now put off the introduction of the new Nissan IM03 machine until at least the following Valencia E-Prix, which has been boosted to a double-header across 24-25 April.
A brief statement supplied to Motorsport.com read: “With the agreement of the FIA, we have rescheduled the debut of the new Nissan e.dams Gen2 Formula E powertrain due to a covid related delay of parts.
“We would like to thank the FIA for their flexibility.”
The current IM02 car is already a result of a powertrain setback following a ban on Nissan’s 2018-19 twin-motor configuration.
An outlawing of this set-up was agreed to by all teams, including Nissan, in the interests of limiting development costs in the championship.
The former DS Virgin squad experimented with a similar twin-motor design during the 2015-16 season, but drivers Sam Bird and Jean-Eric Vergne struggled with the excessive weight balance over the rear.
Nissan e.dams made sweeping updates to its software systems to recover lost ground during the five-month coronavirus hiatus.
Oliver Rowland scored victory in the penultimate race of the season as Nissan e.dams progressed from fourth in the teams’ standings to finish as runner-up.
Related video
Previous article
Formula E unveils electric Mini safety car for select races
Next article
Mercedes awaiting "clarification" before committing to Gen3
About this article
| Series | Formula E |
| Teams | Nissan e.dams |
| Author | Matt Kew |
Jaguar Racing | The Rome E-Prix is here!
Formula E - Episode 6 - A New Dawn
How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Another Formula E double-header, another double dose of frantic action. While the form guide remains unpredictable following fightback wins for Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne in Rome, the speed and consistency of Mercedes – both on and off the track – could have its rivals worried for what is to follow
What Nissan's commitment to Gen3 reveals about Formula E's future
Formula E's Gen3 era grid continues to take shape, after Nissan opted to commit to the series for another four years. Nissan's global chief operating officer explains why it has thrown its lot in with FE while other high-profile marques have decided to call it quits.
Why the new Formula E season got off to such a controversial start
With the new Formula E season belatedly getting underway in Saudi Arabia, the championship appeared to try to make up for lost time with an overspill of action and controversy on and off the track. While some talking points could have serious repercussions, it was an explosive opener for many reasons.
The eight major plotlines to watch in Formula E 2021
The delayed 2020-21 Formula E season gets underway this week with a double-header in Saudi Arabia. The testing times were too close to call a favourite, but that's not the only area of interest to follow as the championship enters a crucial year
Why Formula E's 2021 season will be a crucial litmus test
As off-track politics threatens to overshadow events on it, the upcoming Formula E season is perhaps its most important since the championship's inception. And that's a shame, given that the focus should be on what promises to be its closest title fight yet.
How Mercedes and Porsche can avoid a difficult second FE album
Mercedes and Porsche compete to win and have done so across the board: in Formula 1, sportscars, the Dakar Rally and endurance road races - even working together to break land speed records. Next in the crosshairs is the Formula E teams' championship crown.
What Formula E must do for McLaren to act on its attraction
News that McLaren is formally considering a Formula E move is a much-needed boost for a series that took some punches at the end of 2020. But to allay any doubts that Zak Brown may have, FE must take action on its biggest potential stumbling block
Why BMW and Audi have pulled the plug on Formula E
BMW and Audi shocked the Formula E fraternity by announcing their departures at the end of the 2020-21 season. Overnight, the championship has been dealt something of a "wake-up call" - including questions about its relevance to manufacturers.
