Andretti Racing is making a bold move by switching from Porsche to Nissan as its manufacturer partner for the upcoming Gen4 era of Formula E, starting in 2026. This decision marks a significant shift for the team, which has had a tumultuous relationship with BMW in the past. But here's where it gets interesting: the collaboration between Andretti and Nissan has been in the works for a while, and it's set to be announced at the end of the current season. This means that the 2025-26 season will be Andretti's last with Porsche, who are planning to adjust their model and field four factory cars next season.
The switch to Nissan is a strategic move for Andretti, as it aims for a closer relationship with a manufacturer in the Gen4 era. Team principal Roger Griffiths expressed the team's desire to be an integral part of the manufacturer's development process, working together to make the car faster, more efficient, and develop control strategies. This is a significant change from their previous partnership with BMW, where Andretti essentially acted as a service provider.
Andretti's relationship with BMW was a rollercoaster, marked by a bitter-sweet few seasons. Between 2016 and 2022, they raced with BMW, scoring sporadic wins with drivers like Antonio Felix da Costa, Alexander Sims, Maximilian Guenther, and Jake Dennis. However, the relationship took a turn in the autumn of 2020 when BMW announced its intention to quit Formula E, leaving Andretti in a precarious position. The team was close to exiting Formula E completely, but a last-minute saviour package from Porsche allowed them to continue into the 2022 season with BMW powertrains.
Andretti's partnership with Porsche for the Gen3 era starting in 2023 was a strategic move, but it didn't quite work out as planned. Now, with the switch to Nissan, Andretti is looking to reset and strengthen its relationship with a manufacturer. This move is particularly interesting given Nissan's current situation, as they are racing without a customer team this season after the demise of the NEOM McLaren team.
Despite the challenges, Griffiths remains optimistic about the future. He believes that the team's ability to make its own decisions and contribute to the development process will benefit both Andretti and its manufacturer partner. This two-way relationship is something that Griffiths hopes to foster with Nissan, allowing for more integrated testing and collaboration.
Andretti's partnership with Nissan is likely to bring new opportunities and challenges. With a generally harmonious relationship with McLaren from 2023 to 2025, Nissan has shown promise in the Gen4 era. Sam Bird's E-Prix win at Sao Paulo in 2024 is a testament to their potential. However, the team's performance against its manufacturer supplier, McLaren, was just seven points behind in the first Gen3 season. As Andretti embarks on this new journey with Nissan, the question remains: will they be able to forge a successful partnership and challenge for the manufacturers' crown?
