Nissan Formula E Team Eyes Miami Podium As Season Heats Up

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is charging into new territory this weekend as the all-electric series returns to Miami, this time taking on the Miami International Autodrome for the very first time over a race weekend. The anticipation is palpable, with teams, drivers, and fans all eager to see how the high-speed, 2.32-kilometre, 14-turn circuit will shape the outcome of Round 3 of the 2025/26 season. For Nissan Formula E Team, the stakes are high, and the opportunity to build on a strong early-season showing is front and center.

It’s not just another race in the Magic City—it’s a fresh challenge. The Miami International Autodrome, with its twisting opening sector and long, punishing straights, promises a unique set of obstacles. Heavy braking zones at Turns 11 and 13 are expected to offer the best overtaking opportunities, but with a circuit surface far smoother than those in São Paulo and Mexico City, teams must adapt quickly to maximize grip and efficiency. "The circuit has high levels of grip which should mean an intense battle at the sharp end of the field with some peloton racing also involved," noted Sam Bird, Nissan’s reserve and development driver. "The challenge will be getting the correct set-up in place for the event as it'll be crucial to be towards the front when the race goes flat out."

For Nissan, this Miami weekend begins with a strategic edge. Rookie and simulator driver Abbi Pulling, alongside Formula 2 racer Gabriele Minì, will take the wheel in the Rookie Free Practice session on Friday at 14:30 local time. This session is more than just a warm-up—it's a vital data-gathering opportunity, giving the team a head start on understanding the nuances of this unfamiliar circuit. Team principal Tommaso Volpe emphasized its importance: "The Rookie Free Practice session with Abbi and Gabriele will be very useful, allowing us to understand the new circuit before Oli and Norman jump in the cars. It’s a very different track to the previous two, so we need to ensure we make the most of practice and have the correct set-up ahead of qualifying and the race."

Oliver Rowland, the reigning Season 11 Drivers’ World Champion, is heading into Miami on a high. He’s already claimed podium finishes in both São Paulo and Mexico City, sitting third in the drivers’ standings as of January 27, 2026. Consistency, he says, is the name of the game in such a fiercely competitive field. "Taking podiums in the opening two races has been a great way to start the season. The grid has proven to be incredibly competitive, so staying consistent will be really important at this stage. It’s a relatively short lap, which will bring its own challenges, and we’re expecting a much different race compared to São Paulo and Mexico City, with less energy saving. It will be great to have Abbi and Gabriele on track in Rookie Free Practice to help us, considering it’s a new track for Formula E. We’re hoping to make a step forward in qualifying, as overtaking is likely to be more difficult here, and I’ll be aiming for the podium on Saturday."

Norman Nato, Rowland’s teammate, has been quietly impressive as well. Despite some in-race incidents that have limited his points haul, Nato’s pace has been solid, and his track record in the United States is enviable—he’s finished in the top ten at every US Formula E event. Last year in Miami, he even took pole and crossed the line first, only to be demoted to sixth after a post-race penalty. "I’m happy with the way we’ve been performing so far in Season 12, even though the standings don’t show how strong we are. I’m feeling really comfortable in the car in both qualifying and race conditions, and I’m excited to be heading to Miami. I have a good record of scoring points in the United States and I love the atmosphere of racing there. It’s a short track, meaning qualifying will be extremely tight. We’re also expecting a close race and overtaking to be tough, so we need to make the most of every opportunity to score a positive result," said Nato.

This Miami event also marks a significant moment in Formula E history. The championship first raced in Miami back in Season 1, when Nicolas Prost claimed his debut victory on a street circuit around Biscayne Bay. That race ended in a nail-biting finish, with American Scott Speed—making his series debut—just 0.433 seconds behind Prost at the flag. Speed remains the only US driver to have stood on the Formula E podium. Fast forward to Season 11, and Pascal Wehrlein took victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway in a dramatic, red-flag-affected race. Wehrlein’s late surge, using ATTACK MODE to overtake Antonio Felix da Costa, was only cemented after Nato, who had crossed the line first, was penalized for failing to use the mandatory power boost, handing Wehrlein the win.

Now, the Miami International Autodrome takes center stage, and the schedule is packed. After Rookie Free Practice and Free Practice 1 on Friday, the action resumes Saturday with Free Practice 2 at 07:30, qualifying at 09:40, and the much-anticipated E-Prix itself at 14:05. US-based teams Andretti, CUPRA KIRO, and DS PENSKE will all be looking to impress their home fans, adding another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating weekend.

For Nissan, the United States is a key market, and the team is determined to put on a show. As Volpe put it, "The United States is an important market for Nissan, so we’re delighted to be back racing in the country and will aim to put on a great show for our American fans. We’ve started well in São Paulo and Mexico City, so our target is to continue on this positive trend and to score strong points with both cars."

With so much at stake and a new track to conquer, the 2026 Miami E-Prix is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the season. Will Rowland continue his podium streak? Can Nato turn his US form into a win free of penalties? Or will a new name join Prost and Wehrlein as a Miami race winner? One thing’s for sure: the streets of Miami are set to echo with the sound of electric power and fierce competition, and fans won’t want to miss a second of the action.

As teams finalize their preparations and drivers get set to tackle the unknown, the only certainty is that Formula E’s Miami adventure is just getting started. The green flag drops soon, and with history, rivalry, and championship points all on the line, the Miami International Autodrome is ready to witness another electrifying chapter in Formula E’s story.