YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb. 5, 2025) – Nissan Formula E Team will line up with Gabriele Minì for the upcoming Rookie Free Practice session, which takes place in Saudi Arabia later this month ahead of the first-ever Jeddah E-Prix.

The Alpine Academy member is a multiple time Formula 3 race winner and finished second in the standings last season. Additionally, he impressed on his F2 debut, picking up a podium in Baku and will now race full-time in the series from this year.

This will be Minì’s second event with the Japanese outfit after taking part in the Berlin Rookie Test in Season 10, where he recorded top ten finishes in both the morning and afternoon sessions.

The Rookie Free Practice initiative further emphasizes Formula E and the FIA’s dedication to create diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers. The 40-minute session is scheduled as the opening action of the series’ inaugural visit to Jeddah, taking place on Thursday 13 February at 16:00 local time (UTC+3).

Gabriele Minì sitting with his helmet on and visor up in the Nissan Formula E Team car, with the number 23 and his aberration MIN both sides of his head.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “We’re delighted to be working with a great talent like Gabriele again after the Berlin Rookie Test in Season 10. He’s showed impressive performance with us since the beginning, and has also had a very strong season in 2024, finishing second in Formula 3 and securing a F2 podium on his debut. This Rookie Free Practice session is going to be very important as it will be the very first time that the cars will be on track at a brand-new location. We’ll be looking to collect as much meaningful data as possible during those 40 minutes, and that’s precisely why we wanted to get Gabriele back for this session, as we know he can help us with the initial car set up. We look forward to being back on track with him and to his contribution to the team ahead of the race.”

Gabriele Minì: “I’m looking forward to this opportunity after working with the team at the Berlin Rookie Test last year. It was my first time in an electric race car then and I learnt a lot which I’m confident can help me in Jeddah. The biggest challenge when I discovered Formula E was the complexity of the race simulation, and having to be quick but also efficient, with energy management, at the same time. I’ve worked in the simulator to prepare for the challenges in Jeddah, but there will be unknowns as this is a new circuit. My goal is to help the team for the remainder of the weekend by collecting as much data as possible.”

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About Nissan in Formula E
Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.

In Season 7 (2020/21), Nissan announced its long-term involvement in Formula E and its commitment to the GEN3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.

In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

In June 2022, Nissan announced it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing for the entirety of the Formula E GEN3 era.

For Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers are Oliver Rowland and Sacha Fenestraz.

On 28th March 2024, ahead of the first ever Tokyo E-Prix, Nissan announced its long term commitment to Formula E, becoming the first manufacturer to sign up for the GEN4 era, which runs until 2030, reinforcing its pledge to its Ambition 2030 electrification targets.

Nissan races in Formula E to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify every all-new vehicle offering by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.

About Formula E
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.

All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.

The World’s greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centers in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.

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About Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad

Incorporated in 1972 and listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad in 1974, TCMH is today one of Malaysia’s largest conglomerates with extensive operations across the globe. The Group is widely recognised as a pioneer in the Malaysian automotive industry, and is renowned for its reliable product quality, design and value delivered.

About Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH), is the sales and marketing arm of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia. In 1957, Tan Chong Motors was appointed the franchise holder of Nissan/Datsun vehicles in Malaysia and Nissan/Datsun became the best-selling brand in the country in 1970. TCMH was listed on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad in 1974. The group is principally involved in the assembly and distribution of automobiles. To complement TCMH’s auto business, TCMH provides a wide range of services such as vehicle after sales, hire purchase financing, leasing, and insurance.

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Tiffany Tan                                                                 Chuah Joo Ee

T: 03-2788 3157                                                          T: 03-2788 3160                     

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