Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: NIO 333

  • NIO 333 starts new era as ERT Formula E team

    ERT Formula E Team comes after the seven-season partnership with Chinese car manufacturer NIO draws to a conclusion as the long-standing team heads towards their 10th season with ambitious plans for this new chapter.

    The outfit are coming off the back of one of their best seasons in recent years. In the hands of Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara, who will continue with team in Season 10, the combined effort saw one of the team’s best seasons in recent years.

    The pair demonstrated an impressive one-lap pace with 10 Duels appearances, converting these top 10 starting positions into nine point-scoring finished and ending the season in ninth in the overall Teams’ standings.

    Based out of their headquarters at the Silverstone Race Circuit, as part of the ERT ‘rebirth’ the team will look to commercialise their technology and IP and apply this on track learning to road products, along with supporting the wider industry to push sustainable transport solutions.

    ERT have been in the series since the dawn of Formula E, with Nelson Piquet Jnr taking the inaugural Drivers’ title with the team in the 2014/15 season. There have been a few name changes since then with NIO joining the squad in Season 3.

    We are proud to unveil our new identity as the ERT Formula E Team, it is an exciting step in our journey. 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.

    Alex Hui, Team Principal for ERT.

  • NIO 333 confirm drivers for Season 10

    Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara have agreed deals with NIO 333 to race with the team in Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Brit, Dan Ticktum ended 2022/23 with a run of three points finishes, capping off a season in which he made good ground on what was a promising rookie campaign in 2021/22.

    Seventh and ninth in the London finale saw NIO cement its progress at the start of the Gen3 era with a finish ahead of both Mahindra-powered teams in Mahindra Racing and ABT CUPRA.

    Seven points finishes from a possible 16, a pair of top sixes and a string of three top 10’s to round out the campaign is no mean feat, particularly given NIO is the only one on the grid without a customer for its powertrain.

    Brazilian driver, Sette Camara wound up with two points finishes this season – a best of fifth in Hyderabad and eight in race one from Rome in what he sees as a year of education with Gen3 breaking cover.

    I am now going in to my third year with the team. Season 9 was a lot better than Season 8 for us, and we have done pretty well with the package that we have. At the start of GEN3 I think the pace of our car has been very strong. So, hopefully, we can build on that this year, maybe with some alternative strategies, and optimising our package even more, we can achieve some more points in Season 10. I think it’s going to be challenging season for us because the regulations don’t allow us to change much, however I’m looking forward to being on FE grid again with NIO 333 Racing and going some cool new venues. I think Tokyo is going to be a highlight for me and overall, I can’t wait to get back racing!

    Ticktum on the news.

    Season 9 was a time of growth and learning for me, with the highlight undoubtedly being our performance in India, where we secured our best race result. That moment stands as my favourite from the season, showcasing the potential we have as a team. While we faced challenges, including a disappointing penalty in London, we demonstrated our resilience by bouncing back and overtaking Mahindra the following day. It was a testament to our team spirit and the determination to succeed, even when faced with setbacks that felt unjust. In the off-season, I took the opportunity to recharge at home in Brazil before jumping right back into preparations for the upcoming season. Just a month after the finale, we were back here, putting in the work and gearing up for what lies ahead. As we approach Season 10, I am filled with anticipation and excitement. Having spent a year with the NIO 333 Racing team, I have forged strong bonds with everyone and feel a sense of continuity and momentum as we carry forward the lessons and experiences from Season 9. I am eager to build on what we have achieved and look forward to hitting the tracks with renewed energy and determination.

    Sergio Sette Camara.

    It’s a pleasure to be working with Dan and Sérgio again for Season 10. Their talents and commitment to the team are critical factors in our continued progress. Furthermore, their collaborative approach and dedication to overall progress are clear assets as we pursue our ambitious goals. Season 9 has shown the potential we have and highlighted what we need to work on, we are eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

    COO and Deputy Team Principal, Russell O’Hagan.

  • Kvyat & Azcona for NIO 333 in rookie test

    NIO 333 has selected former Formula 1 driver, Daniil Kvyat and World Touring Car champion Mikel Azcona for the Berlin Rookie Test.

    Kyvat raced in F1 as part of the Red Bull stable for six years between 2014 and 2020 at Scuderia Toro Rosso/ Alpha Tauri and Red Bull Racing, securing three podium finishes.

    Since then, he has made three outings in the NASCAR Cup Series last year, and sits second in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMP2 category this season.

    I’m really excited to be trying the Formula E car for the first time ever and with NIO 333 Racing. I think Formula E has proved for many years to be a very competitive, high-level championship, with very interesting environmental goals as well. The racing is very fast, and very competitive. The team has also been making a lot of progress, especially this year, and has room to grow and fight for even stronger positions in the future. It’ll be interesting to see what we can do together at this test.

    Kvyat on the test.

    Spaniard, Mikel Azcona will appear alongside Kvyat in the sister ER9 at the test. The touring car specialist won the WTCR FIA World Touring Car Cup last year, and is a twice European touring car champion in TCR EUrope.

    Azcona also went two seasons competing in the FIA ETCR eTouring Car World Cup, where he was a three-time event winner in the electric touring car series, which featured rear-wheel drive EVs competing at up to 500kW of power.

    It’s a really nice feeling to be at the Rookie Test, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that NIO 333 has given me. It’s something new for me in my career, and it’s my first time driving a single-seater since 2012. So I really want to improve my skills there, and I really want to learn about this new technology. It’s going to be interesting seeing what I can bring from my time in electric touring car racing, which was also new to me, but where I was very competitive. Some of the technology is similar in theory, but I’m expecting it to be quite something else when I get into the Formula E car.

    Azcona on the opportunity.

  • Ticktum sticks with NIO 333

    Dan Ticktum will be competing for a second year in Formula E with NIO 333, with the driver signing on for Gen3’s bow and Season 9 with the Anglo-Chinese team.

    Ticktum impressed in his debut campaign, regularly mixing it with outgoing teammate Oliver Turvey. His high of the season came in Rome with points and 10th spot.

    The British driver revealed over social media that he too had been in the car since the Seoul finale, and was at the team’s Silverstone HQ for a seat fit on Tuesday morning.

    I’ve been in the car a couple of times and it’s a big step forward from Gen2; I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed it so far. I’m really looking forward to getting cracking with this new era of electric racing.

    Ticktum on his new contract.

    Sergio Sette Camara singed for NIO 333 in September and has since tested the teams ER9 Gen3 in both Italy and England as the team steps up its preparations for Season 9 and Formula E’s new era.

    With the announcement that Ticktum would join him, one of Formula E’s longest-standing and most experienced racers, Oliver Turvey says his goodbyes to the team – having been a part of the squad from the inaugural 2014/15 campaign.

  • Sette Camara joins NIO 333

    NIO 333 Formula E team officially welcome, Sergio Sette Camara to the China and Silverstone based squad for the start of the new Gen3 era.

    Sergio will be making his track debut in the teams NIO 333 ER9 electric challenger at the Autodromo di Varano in Italy this week.

    The Brazilian joins the team after several impressive performances during Season 8 including reaching the Qualifying Duels, at the Berlin, New York, London and Seoul event and scoring a 9th place at the 2022 London E-Prix.

    It is unsure yet who will be his teammate for the next season, it would be wise to keep someone who knows the team but the Gen3 era is a fresh start.

    I am very happy to join the NIO 333 family and I want to thank everyone in the team who believed in me for this opportunity. I have been very open about my wish to remain in the Formula E championship, and I am super excited about the new Gen3 car.

    Sergio Sette Camara.

    We are delighted to be able to bring Sergio onboard. He is a fantastic talent and we have been hugely impressed by his approach already. Securing his services completes another part of the NIO 333 Formula E team jigsaw progressing further up the Formula E grid. We are heading towards Season 9 with a lot of motivation and some very positive momentum.

    Alex Hui, Team Principal.