Nissan e.Dams announced late Jean-Paul Driot sons, Gregory and Olivier, to take over their father as the new team principal in FIA Formula E Championship for 2019/20 season.
The untimely death of DAMS co-founder and owner Driot, in August, left everyone in a state of mourning and shock. The 68-year-old played a big role shaping many drivers’ careers but also led his own team and also in Formula E with Renault/Nissan.
Driot led Renault to multiple Formula E championship wins and continued leading Nissan when they took over the outfit in 2018/19. With the 2019/20 Formula E season set to kick-start with the pre-season test at Valencia next week, Nissan revealed Driot’s successor.
In their pre-test note, Nissan announced the two sons of Driot, Gregory and Olivier, taking over as the team principals, with Sebastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland continuing in their driver role for another season in the hope to score more wins and bid for the title.
“It’s been a very busy off-season,” said Gregory Driot. “Olivier and I are heading into season six with a heavy heart that our team founder and father Jean-Paul is no longer with us, but the entire team is ready to continue with the same fighting spirit with which he created e.dams.”
The October 15-16 and 18 test days will feature a teaser livery from Nissan e.Dams, with the official launch to take place in Japan on October 22. “We were thrilled with what we achieved in season five – both on-track and off-track, as we showcased Nissan Intelligent Mobility for a global audience,” said Michael Carcamo, Nissan’s global motorsports director.
“We have new challenges ahead, with more rivals joining the championship, and an updated powertrain. Everything we learned from season five has gone into our development for season six, with an even greater emphasis on power and battery management. The test in Valencia is an important part of our preparations, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Sebastien, Oliver, and the team can do.”
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