“It’s time to upset the big names in FE. Our commitment is always growing and it will be long-term”

Before the times, taking what no one expected to be able to take. And the dream, the big dream. If not today, tomorrow. Tommaso Volpe, Calabrian by birth, Neapolitan by adoption, Parisian by life and profession, is a calm man in terms of character and nature. And his very nature made him develop another virtue: patience. Having been in charge of all racing operations for the Nissan Formula E team for over four years now, he has been able to wait. Wait, work and ride. And now he begins to reap the first fruits of all the time spent choosing, deciding, preparing. The first victory in the electric single-seater world championship by Oliver Rowland (fourth consecutive podium of the season…) since the official Nissan team was founded, which arrived on Saturday around midnight in Misano after the dissolution of the team. Porsche, it is the highest time of the construction that comes from far. Which even the despair of the second victory that disappeared a few meters from the finish line due to a combination of the start can destroy.

“Overall – explained Volpe – it was a very good weekend for us. Oliver played well and took the official race win, the first since Nissan took full control of the team. Sunday was certainly frustrating: a very small mistake cost us the fifth consecutive podium which was Obviously achieved. Oliver rode very well for that. As for Fenestraz, it was very strong. we have improved a lot from a strategic point of view, so at the moment we feel good and we will continue to work to get a good result in Monaco in two weeks.”

Proud of you and Nissan.
“We always compete for two, after all we wouldn’t be in Formula E without Nissan’s great commitment to power supply. It runs thanks to a corporate strategy. From road to track and from track to road. The leitmotif is always the same.”

The strategy you have announced is long-term.
“Yes, we are the first manufacturer in the world to announce the confirmation of our participation until 2030, which, in fact, coincides with the Nissan Ambition 2030 program at the production level. In short, there is a fundamental stability in all options.”

A long journey by Nissan in Formula E
“Nissan entered in 2018, but at first it was the sponsorship of a manufacturer that was, however, a pioneer in electrification, but Nissan did not have control over the sports activities at that time. Therefore, when we decided to stay in 2021, we chose to buy and take over the team and control it completely.”

And it was no walk in the park anyway
“The last two seasons have been difficult. We had to rebuild everything and there were positives, moments of light, others of darkness and difficulty. But today we have finally reached another level of organization, completely different from before. A lot has been invested, we brought Rowland back as the guide of first, we moved the headquarters from Le Mans to Paris where we have the best technology and many senior engineers from the Tokyo headquarters came to Paris to work with us to have a better relationship with the electronics of everyday models. In short, we are ready to land in World Cup Gen4.”

In fact, what is the goal?
“Starting to upset the big names. At the moment we don’t expect to be able to compete for the championship because the car is the same as last year. The pace is there, we still have a gap in energy efficiency, in energy management which however we are trying to improve with strategy as shown and the result of this season and next year our all-wheel drive will also arrive, the e- 4 POWER. Jaguar and Porsche still have the best power management systems. As shown also by the partnership with McLaren that we supply the engine . This gives me confidence for next year as we look forward to the World Championship, also because I know what we are doing thanks to Nissan’s R&D.”

In terms of artificial intelligence, is there already any equipment in the Formula E cars?
“Let’s say we’re at the beginning, we have a cost limit, we can’t overdo it. It’s still early. I think the first official automatic learning methods will arrive from next season but we’re already starting to invest: the important thing is to understand the driver’s driving habits to save energy. “
It takes patience, as always