Nissan have confirmed that Norman Nato will return to the team for the 2024/25 Formula E season.
The Frenchman has been competing in the all-electric series since the 2020/21 season, where he finished 18th in the standings with Venturi. Nato registered his first and only win in Formula E that year at the season finale in Berlin.
After being dropped by the team in favour of Season Three champion Lucas di Grassi, Nato joined Jaguar as their reserve driver and competed in the double header at Seoul after Sam Bird was ruled out with a fractured wrist.
The 32-year-old joined Nissan for Season Nine and had his best season to date, scoring points on eight occasions and grabbing one podium to finish 10th with 63 points. Nato moved to Nissan last season and had an identical record, but finished 15th with 47 points.
With Andretti confirming the signing of Nico Muller for Season 11 alongside Jake Dennis, Nato was left without a seat. Now, the Frenchman has confirmed his next move as he returns to Nissan.
Nissan target Antonio Felix Da Costa and Mitch Evans for 2026 as Norman Nato signs ‘temporary’ deal
Nissan had been in turmoil over their driver line-up as they debated whether to keep on Sacha Fenestraz for a third season.
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The French-Argentine driver recorded a best finish of fourth twice in the 2022/23 season and registered 58 points across his two seasons with the team.
After failing to score in the final seven rounds last season, Fenestraz was considerably outperformed by teammate Oliver Rowland, with the Brit scoring two wins, seven podiums and 156 points to Fenestraz’s no podiums and 26 points.
In August, Nissan confirmed that Fenestraz would be released from his contract, and according to a report from The Race, negotiations between Nato and his manager – former Formula 1 driver Tiago Monteiro – have been going on since the London ePrix in July.
Following his Andretti departure, Nato will make his return to the Japanese manufacturer, but The Race have stated that his deal with the team “should be viewed as temporary.”
With Rowland already at Nissan and capable of winning races, the team are believed to be eyeing Antonio Felix Da Costa and Mitch Evans for the 2025/26 season as they “aim to build what it will internally covet as a superteam to consistently challenge for titles.”
Therefore, according to the report, “It is likely that another one-year deal has been agreed” with Nato before they move on to their ambitious targets for Season 12.
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What does Nissan’s driver shortlist mean for Norman Nato?
For Nato, it seems that his future with Nissan is short-term, and he will therefore have to deliver results if he wants to stand a chance at keeping his seat.
The Frenchman has proven that previously with the team in 2022/23, where he enjoyed his best FE campaign. With him being already familiar with the team, it could be a good match for Nato.
But it is clear that Nissan have ambitions with their driver shortlist. Felix Da Costa has been well-established in FE, winning 12 races, securing 23 podiums and was the 2019/20 champion with DS Techeetah.
Evans is one of the most recognised talents in FE, also winning 12 wins but has grabbed 31 podiums in his time in the sport. The New Zealander has never won the championship, having finished second twice and third in the standings in the last three years.