Formula E

Nissan Formula E Team completes strong Berlin Rookie Test with Ghiotto and Martins

April 25, 2023

5 min Reading

Luca Ghiotto driving for Nissan Formula E Team at the Rookie Test

Both drivers end day in the top four as squad gathers valuable data

Nissan Formula E Team had a positive Berlin Rookie Test with both Luca Ghiotto and Victor Martins concluding the day’s running in the top four on the timesheets.

The day started well, as the duo got their hands on the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for the first time, with six-time FIA Formula 2 race winner Ghiotto going second quickest in the morning session.

The Italian continued his strong showing in the afternoon, gathering more experience and collecting information as he looks to better assist the outfit in his role as simulator driver, ending the day with the fourth-quickest time.

Reigning FIA Formula 3 champion and Alpine Academy member Martins was fast throughout at the Tempelhof Airport Circuit. The Frenchman impressed by finishing the afternoon session in second, completing a positive test with the squad.

Round 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship takes place on 6 May, with the series heading to the legendary streets of Monaco.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “After a difficult race weekend, today was a good rookie test day and we completed all of our programs with good results. It was really valuable for Luca in particular as he gained experience on track and got to see how the team operates throughout a race weekend. He performed well and I’m sure he learned a lot of aspects that will help in his simulator driver role. Victor also really impressed us, these cars are difficult to handle, so to come in and be on the pace immediately is a challenge. Ending the day in second place highlights the tremendous job that he did. Both drivers improved throughout, they were very mature and avoided making mistakes. As a team, we learned a lot following a challenging Berlin race weekend. Now the goal is to use the knowledge we’ve gained to prepare for Monaco.”

Luca Ghiotto

“The biggest job for me today was evaluating how the simulator correlates to the on-track performance of the Nissan e-4ORCE 04, and I was really impressed. There are always factors you can’t compare, such as the g-forces and the vibrations, but in terms of speed and the pure feeling, the car acted in the way I expected from my time in the simulator. I have a lot of information that I can now take back to the factory and apply to support the team moving forward. Both Sacha and Norman were helpful, allowing me to be as prepared as possible for the test, which will only benefit the entire squad. I also got to know the people in the team a little better, which is great as they have to rely on my feedback in the simulator, so there has to be a level of trust Together we worked really well and every person in the garage helped each other to achieve our collective goals. I am thankful to Nissan Formula E for this opportunity, and I am happy it was useful for the whole team."

Victor Martins

“Formula E is so different compared to any other series I’ve ever driven in. The tires are grooved and not slick, which lowers the grip levels dramatically. Energy management is also a unique challenge and it’s incredibly difficult to maximize the pace and be on the limit. It was such a privilege to work with the Nissan Formula E Team, I tried to make the most of it and communicate with everyone in the garage to get the best out of the day and to provide what was expected of me. They made it easy to adapt to the environment and the car and I enjoyed every lap out on track.”

Formula E