Nissan Formula E Team heads into the 2026 Monaco E-Prix aiming to build on a positive Berlin weekend, where both Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato delivered strong results for the team. Rowland continued his impressive Season 12 form with two more podium finishes, while Nato secured his best result of the campaign so far with fifth place in Race 2.
Now Formula E returns to Monaco for Rounds 9 and 10 of the championship, with the iconic street circuit once again hosting a double-header. For Nato, the weekend carries extra significance. The Frenchman was born in Cannes, just along the coast from Monaco, and has enjoyed success around the circuit throughout his junior career.
Monaco remains a special race for Nato
Speaking in the press conference attended by Pit Debrief ahead of the Monaco E-Prix, Nato reflected on what a strong result in Formula E would mean at the historic venue.
“ As you say, it’s quite a long time ago now, so it would be good at some point to try to make it happen in Formula E as well. It’s a race that’s been quite good to me in the other categories in the past.”
“But in Formula E, so far, I haven’t really been successful. So I’m trying again this weekend. Obviously, it’s a special race for every driver, but even more for my side.”
“I’m from the South of France. I was born in Cannes. My family, which is not really used to come to the races, are obviously coming for this one.”
“So yeah, we’ll try again. Two opportunities to do at least a podium, if not better. And as always, it’s always a pleasure and an opportunity.”
“It’s a great opportunity as well to have two races, in a way that if you have a bad day one, you can go again day two. Or the opposite, if you have a good day one, maybe you prefer to stay on the next day. I’m really happy to be here. Let’s see what this weekend will bring us.”
Berlin result rewarded winter work
Nato entered Season 12 after a difficult previous campaign, but the French driver explained that his stronger form this year did not come as a surprise internally. He credited his winter preparation and improvements in qualifying performance for helping him move forward.
“To be honest, last year I had a very difficult season. But since the beginning of the season, I’m much stronger.”
“I could show in qualifying on many occasions. Unfortunately, in a few races, it was looking really good. Always a small detail kind of ruined our day.”
“It was very frustrating because, as Jean-Éric [Vergne] said, as an informer, sometimes when you enter into a dynamic which is quite negative, it’s quite difficult to take care of it.”
Nato added that Berlin finally allowed the results to reflect the pace he believed he had shown throughout the season.
“In Berlin, finally, I would say that it was not really a surprise for me to be able to do this kind of race and this kind of result. Because, as I said since the beginning of the season, I worked a lot last winter to improve on myself racing-wise.”
“Because Oliver [Rowland] is actually someone who is very good at it and I could learn from it. But yeah, honestly, as I said, in qualifying, it’s been a very good step forward.”
Nissan searching for consistency
The Berlin E-Prix marked an important milestone for Nissan Formula E Team, with both cars finishing inside the top five. Nato described that result as a key target for the squad moving forward.
“Berlin was finally a good day for the team as well. Best result of the team since the creation of Nissan Formula E Team since Season 9, so it’s something as well we’re trying to push a lot to get a bit of consistency.”
“I mean, having both cars in the top five a bit more regularly and that’s something we finally managed to do in Berlin. It was quite a good race for both of us, starting from the back and coming back to the front.”
Despite the encouraging result, Nato insisted that his confidence level had not dramatically changed, as he already believed the speed had been there earlier in the year.
“I’m not going to say more confident because, as I said, when you have the performance already in qualifying and in many occasions I was showing that I was in the top five in some races but it didn’t turn into big points.”
“I knew that it would happen at some point, so it happened in Berlin.”
Full motivation for Monaco
With family and friends set to attend his home event, Nato admitted he hopes the Monaco E-Prix can deliver another memorable weekend.
“And now, for sure, I would say Monaco, everything can happen. Full motivation and, as you said, my family will be here and my friends as well.”
“So hopefully, I have something to celebrate on Sunday night. And Mitch [Evans] can make the booking for me.”
