Written by Jake O’Callaghan, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
NIO 333 have announced their rebranding as ERT (Electric Racing Technology) Formula E Team, following the departure of the Chinese manufacturer from the sport. Reports of a new unnamed investor in the team suggest a probable cause of the departing NIO brand.
New branding posted on the teams’ channels suggest greater change is imminent, with a new livery and team colours likely. We will find out when the team will hit the track in Valencia next week for pre-season testing.
NIO 333 recorded their best season in half a decade in 2023, finishing ninth in the teams’ championship with 42 points. Last month, they confirmed the retention of their driver lineup of Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara for 2024.
ERT are the only team in the championship to not be tied to an OEM, and manufacture their drivetrain independently. They have been in Formula E since the inception of the championship, joining as China Racing, before changing their name to NEXTEV TCR mid-season. Nelson Piquet Jr. brought home the first ever Formula E drivers’ championship with the team in 2014.
NEXTEV then experienced a struggle, finishing ninth and last of all teams to complete the full 2015-16 season. They slightly improved to sixth the next year, rebranding as NEXTEV Nio.
In 2017-18, the NEXTEV brand left the team name, where they now competed as NIO Formula E Team. The team has been competing as NIO 333 Formula E Team since 2019, but their horrible run of form continued, the team finishing no higher than 10th in the championship between 2018 and 2022.
2023 represented a new dawn for the team, who went on to finish ninth in the standings. With their driver lineup secure and a new identity to bolster the crew, the sky is the limit for the team in 2024.
ERT Formula E team principal, and former NIO 333 team principal Alex Hui expressed his pleasure on the rebranding of the team:
"We are proud to unveil our new identity as the ERT Formula E Team, it is an exciting step in our journey," said Alex Hui, Team Principal for ERT Formula E Team on the new journey ahead.
"As the only manufacturer Formula E team that is not currently tied to an OEM, our powertrain and software development has been done independently, putting us in a unique position.
"Utilising what we have learnt on track, we have already identified that we have a lot to offer in terms of improving electric vehicle performance, not just in relation to powertrains but whole vehicle engineering support and solutions, something which is already proving of interest within the automotive and motorsport industries.
"It is a natural progression for us to move forward commercialising this knowledge with the increasing global adoption of EVs, particularly as Formula E provides such a strong platform for OEMs and as such our conversations with partners in this arena are already advanced."