Nissan Formula E Team is delighted to announce that Sam Bird will be the squad’s reserve and development driver for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bird has been ever-present on the Formula E grid since its maiden race in 2014 and has taken wins across all three generations of car in the championship. A title contender in several Formula E seasons, Bird claimed victory in the series’ second-ever race in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and has competed in 144 races, scored 27 podiums and claimed 12 wins – the fourth highest in Formula E history. His most recent victory came at São Paulo in Season 10 (2023/24), when he crossed the finish line first in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, who were then a Nissan customer team.
Bird’s extensive knowledge of the Nissan Formula E powertrain will be a major asset to the squad throughout Season 12, as he works alongside Oliver Rowland, Norman Nato and Abbi Pulling to push the team forward. He will also contribute to the development of the GEN4 machinery, ensuring that Nissan Formula E Team continues to build on its recent success and maintains its strong upward trajectory.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “We’re very happy to welcome Sam as our reserve and development driver for Season 12. He is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the championship and has competed with our powertrain for the past two seasons, so there was really no question that he would be a great fit for the team. He will play an important role as we look to keep consistently fighting at the top in the upcoming campaign while we get ready for GEN4.”
Sam Bird, reserve and development driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’m extremely happy to be joining Nissan Formula E Team as the reserve and development driver for the 2025/26 campaign. I’ve worked closely with Nissan over the past two seasons, so I feel prepared as I know the Nissan Formula E powertrain well. I’ve got a great relationship with both Oli and Norman and they are two drivers I respect very highly. I’ll help them in any way possible trackside and by aiding to further develop the current GEN3 Evo and future GEN4 car. The knowledge I have built up over the last two years will mean I can jump straight into the simulator and give feedback instantly, supporting the squad to build on its recent success in Season 11.”
