Sacha Fenestraz believes that certainly one of the explanations for his Formula E profession ending prematurely is because he didn’t sustain with teammate Oliver Rowland, who he believes is “easily the equal of” Max Verstappen.
The Frenchman and Argentinian endured a difficult second season in Nissan's all-electric championship, scoring just five points from 16 races and ending the campaign in seventeenth place within the Drivers' Championship.
This was in stark contrast to Rowland, the Briton, who took two wins in Misano and London and was a championship contender for much of the season on his return to Nissan.
Speaking exclusively to the Latin American edition of Motorsport.com, Fenestraz said he was unable to indicate the identical speed he saw in his maiden season for several reasons, including against Rowland, whom he in comparison with three-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen.
“I started the season saying to myself, 'I want to be the team leader, I want to beat the team,' but I thought it was unrealistic because we're talking about Rowland, who was in Formula E for the seventh time,” he added. he said.
“For me it was only the second season. It's a championship, for those who take a look at it, all of the drivers on the front are drivers who’ve been in Formula E for years, they’ve loads of experience, also they are much older drivers.
“And me, at 24 years old [at the time]I don't have the identical experience as a driver like him, and besides, Oliver at his best easily matches Verstappen.
“He's a very good friend of Verstappen and this year Verstappen told Oliver it's a pity he's not in Formula 1 because he would overshadow him, so people involved in motorsport know what potential he has.”
Nissan Formula E Team's Oliver Rowland, third, with teammates, including Nissan Formula E Team's Sacha Fenestraz, rejoice at the rostrum ceremony
Photo: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Fenestraz also revealed that Nissan management had assured him that he can be appointed for the 2024/25 season in early August for the ultimate 12 months of his three-year contract.
However, he claimed that lower than a month later he learned via social media that he had been fired and replaced by former teammate Norman Nato, and that he “didn't take it well.”
Fenestraz also rejected one other team's offer to start out in Formula E before being let go by Nissan, but testing for the brand new season starts in lower than a month and only two grid positions have yet to be announced, each in ERT. he needed to deal with other championships.
This features a return to Super Formula, where Fenestraz competed before a two-year stint in Formula E after ending second in 2022, in addition to the World Endurance Championship after being offered a factory ride with an unnamed team.
“Fortunately, I have offers, there are opportunities,” Fenestraz said. “The truth is that we’ve the choice of returning to Japan with Nissan or Toyota.
“Now I actually have also received a proposal for a double program with WEC and IMSA, with an LMDH automotive, on the manufacturer.
“I actually have a gathering with my manager in London and from there we’ll tell what to do and make an announcement. I feel it is going to be announced obviously between November and December, but my decision shall be made soon.”
