Nissan is reportedly engaged in a “fact-finding” mission into the viability of Formula E as a long-term motorsport initiative.
Following on from Nissan’s now defunct GT-R LM NISMO project in the World Endurance Championship, the Japanese company appears to be shopping around to show its motor sport credentials.
However, as originally reported in Autosport, approval would be required from the Renault-Nissan partnership given Renault’s investment with the Renault e.Dams team.
It wouldn’t be the first time a parent car company split its resources in one series, with Volkswagen successfully competing in the WEC under its respective Porsche and Audi banners.
In addition, the marque may find Formula E commercially viable with former Manor Formula One Team CEO (and now WEC entrant) Graeme Lowdon stating that: “It was obvious to see some of the commercial opportunities [in Formula E] but at that time it just wasn’t right for us.”
Nissan would never have had the budget to compete with Porsche and Audi, so always had to try a different route, with some cynically claiming the entire exercise was a marketing one as opposed to a serious sporting objective.
Entering Formula E, however, would more than half that budget, and would benefit greatly from the youthful urban following that is slowly gathering momentum with the series. Something Mercedes spent millions attempting to corner with Lewis Hamilton’s salary alone.
Series CEO Alejandro Agag said that, “we’re [Formula E] seriously considered by a number of manufacturers on top of the ones we have.
“I don’t like to be too excessively positive, but I think we’ve created a cool place to be for OEMs.
“The changing roadmap is fine for them [Nissan], but the key is cost control.”
The World Motor Sport Council’s decision to scrap individual batteries in season five would go some way to reducing costs, but would also render the series less attractive more manufacturer development, something companies such as BMW would be looking at carefully.
BMW has been involved in the series by supplying i3 and i8 machines as course cars, but as yet has not shown its hand as a potential entrant.
But that could all soon change. Watch this space…
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