Sam Bird returns to Formula E as Nissan’s Reserve Driver
- Teagan Crump
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Written by Teagan Crump, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Nissan has announced that 12-time Formula E race winner Sam Bird will be joining the team as the Reserve and Development Driver for Season 12.
Bird joined the Formula E grid at the inception of the series in 2014 and has competed in 144 Formula E races so far. He has also earned 27 podiums along the way, driving for Envision Virgin Racing, Jaguar and McLaren along the way.
Most recently, Bird drove for NEOM McLaren Formula E, also a Nissan customer team, and scored his most recent victory at the São Paulo E-Prix in Season 10.
In response to the announcement, Bird said:
“I’m extremely happy to be joining the Nissan Formula E Team. 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.”
He then added:
"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.”
Nissan have said that Bird’s prior and extensive knowledge of their powertrain will be an incredible help for Season 12.
Tommasso Volpe, Nissan’s Managing Director and Team Principal, further supported Sam Bird:
“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.”
Bird’s appointment as a reserve would bring plenty of experience to an already strong Nissan set-up, which sees reigning champion Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato continue for another Formula E campaign at the team.
Bird will not only serve as the Development Driver, but also will be first in line to step in at the Japanese team, should either driver be unable to take part in any race weekend.
