Interview: 'It's a Shame It's Not on Calendar,' Nissan Formula E Driver Sacha Fenestraz on Hyderabad e-Prix
In an exclusive interview, Nissan Formula E Driver Sacha Fenestraz shared his thoughts on the Gen3 car, the Formula E calendar expansion, and Nissan's commitment to the Gen4 era.
By Divyam Dubey
So far, the Nissan Formula E team has had a very fine season this year, with six podium finishes and a race win. While the season has been competitive for Oliver Rowland, it hasn't been the same for Sacha Fenestraz. Despite being one of the fastest drivers, Fenestraz is currently 11th in the drivers' championship, with 26 points. In 2020, Fenestraz began his Formula E racing career by participating in the Marrakesh Rookie Test for Jaguar. He finished tenth, earning a spot as the team's test and reserve driver. He made a brief appearance in Season 8, filling in for Dragon after Antonio Giovinazzi's injury. Nissan selected Fenestraz to join Norman Nato for Season 9, and in Season 10, he has been partnered with Oliver Rowland.
In an exclusive interview, Fenestraz discussed his experience with the Gen3 car, the expansion of the Formula E calendar to new locations, Nissan's commitment to the Gen4 era, and more.
In your second season with Nissan, has there been a change in your strategy in terms of approaching race weekends in comparison to the last season?
This season, I have a lot more experience under my belt. I've been doing a lot of simulator work after season 9 in Formula E. Right now, I think I have just gained more experience on the racing side of things. Overall, I feel much more relaxed mentally and confident in handling certain situations that might have been unfamiliar last year.
Also Read: Interview: 'GEN4 Cars Promise a Different Racing Style,' Says Nissan Formula E Driver Oliver Rowland
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned this year?
This year has been a big learning experience, especially with Oliver as a teammate. He's incredibly strong, talented, and quick, and with his experience, there's a lot I can learn from him. I have been focusing on his qualifying approach and how he deals with situations I was not aware of before. Overall, I've gained a lot of valuable insights from my teammates.
Nissan is committed to the GEN4 era. What are the areas, if any, in which you would like to see maximum improvement in terms of the car specification for GEN4?
Well, two areas stand out for me. First, improved tyre compounds to allow us to tap into the car's full potential. Currently, tyre limitations seem to be restricting the overall performance of the car. Second, I believe it would be good for us to have unlimited traction control. If this was opened up for all drivers, it could significantly boost overall performance.
What do you think about the quick charge pit stops expected to come soon?
I think it's a really cool addition! It will definitely add another layer of strategy to the races, which I always welcome. I'm pretty excited to see it in action because, as I mentioned, it will significantly enhance the strategic element of the competition.
The Formula-E calendar continues to expand. What's your take on it?
The championship's growth to include more races is a positive step in my opinion. If we go up to 25 races in future, it might be excessive. The current number seems like a good balance. However, the series seems to be moving away from its original DNA of racing on street circuits and is leaning more towards permanent tracks. Personally, I'm not a fan of this shift. Hopefully, the championship will find a way to maintain its real DNA.
Speaking of specific races, I truly enjoyed the street circuit event held last season in India. It's a shame that it's not on the current calendar. That race weekend was a personal highlight, with our team performing well and running for a top-five finish until a little unfortunate incident. The track itself was fantastic, and Indian fans and the overall atmosphere were incredible. I truly look forward to returning there next year.
