Nissan Confirms Oliver Rowland and Zane Maloney for Formula E’s Gen4 Era
Nissan retains champion Rowland and adds Maloney
Nissan has become the fourth team to confirm its driver line-up for the upcoming Formula E campaign, naming Oliver Rowland and Zane Maloney as its pairing for the first year of the Gen4 era in 2027.
Rowland will remain with the Japanese manufacturer despite offers from rival outfits including Penske and Envision Racing. His decision maintains a partnership that stretches back to the Gen2 era, when he raced for Nissan in 2018-19, before returning after an unsuccessful spell with Mahindra in 2022 and 2023.
The British driver rejoined Nissan for Season 10 in 2024, winning in Misano and London while narrowly missing out on delivering the team its first Formula E championship. He went one better the following season, taking four victories and seven podiums on the way to his first drivers’ title, secured during the penultimate weekend in Berlin.
Rowland did not defend that crown in Season 12. Although he won in Monaco and opened the year with a run of podium finishes, he was unable to reproduce the consistency and pace of his title-winning campaign, ultimately finishing fourth.
His continuation is significant for Nissan as it prepares for a major technical reset. Formula E remains confident that Jeddah will host the Gen4 opener, adding further focus to the manufacturer’s preparations.
“I’m delighted to continue with Nissan for our seventh season together and fourth consecutive one with Nissan Formula E Team,” Rowland said. “With the GEN4 car coming in, we’re going to see a big step in performance and it’s something we’re really excited for.”
Maloney makes the step to Nissan
Maloney replaces the departing Norman Nato, who drove for Nissan in three of the last four completed campaigns. The Barbadian will enter his third Formula E season after making his debut with Lola at the beginning of Season 11 following his step up from Formula 2.
His rookie campaign was difficult as Lola began its own Formula E programme. In Season 12, however, Maloney scored a point in São Paulo and added two more in Monaco and Tokyo, ending the campaign with three points.
The move represents a substantial opportunity for Maloney, who has completed two seasons in the championship and now joins a manufacturer with title-winning momentum. He was selected ahead of Victor Martins, who had tested Nissan’s Gen4 car in Navarra earlier in the year.
“I’m very excited to join Nissan Formula E Team,” Maloney said. “I’ve spent the last two seasons with a new team, developing my skills and trying to get the best results we could, so I’m really looking forward to taking this next step in my career.”
Nissan team principal Tommaso Volpe described Maloney as a young driver with valuable Formula E experience, while calling Gen4 a fitting opportunity to build on his existing skills. His late switch from Lola reshapes the developing driver market and gives Nissan a blend of proven championship pedigree and upward potential for Season 13.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.