Camara to stand in for Nato at Berlin E-Prix

Sergio Sette Camara will make his Formula E return at the Berlin E-Prix double-header, filling in at Nissan for Norman Nato, who will be competing in the World Endurance Championship.

Camara has made 66 starts in Formula E for Dragon/Penske Autosport and ERT – with a best finish of fourth at the second race of the Diriyah E-Prix in the 2020-2021 season – and became Nissan's reserve and simulator driver at the start of this season after losing his ERT seat as it became Kiro Race Co. over the off-season.

“I’m excited to race for the Nissan Formula E Team in Berlin,” said Camara. “It’s a good opportunity for me to step into one of the leading cars in the championship, something I haven’t experienced before in this series, and I feel ready to give my all.

“Even in my role as reserve driver, it’s been a pleasure to be part of a team with such a strong, winning mentality. The environment at Nissan is one that pushes you to grow, and just being around it is motivating. Being back on the grid is special, but doing it with Nissan does make it more meaningful.”

Camara comes into a team that leads the Drivers’ standings with Oliver Rowland, and sits second in the Teams' championship, while the marque – which is also represented by NEOM McLaren – also tops Manufacturers' standings.

Nato is 19th in the points, with two sixth place finishes his best return so far. He won on the road in Miami, a race which he also started from pole, but lost five places with a post-race penalty for an Attack Mode indiscretion.

Alongside his Formula E commitments, Nato has been racing for Cadillac Hertz Team Jota in the WEC, and will be racing for them in Sao Paulo when the all-electric series takes to Berlin.

“It’s a shame Norman can’t be with us in Berlin, but we’re delighted to have Sergio stepping in,” said Nissan Formula E team managing director and team principal Tommaso Volpe. “Sergio’s extensive experience in Formula E and his time with the team this season make him the best-placed driver to step in and take on this challenge. 

“Formula E is a unique series and, as we’ve seen in the championship in recent seasons, it can be difficult for drivers to come in and immediately be on the pace due to the specificities of the cars, tires and energy management. However, we are confident we have the best man for the job and look forward to seeing what he can do on track in Berlin.”

While he’ll be returning to a familiar series, Berlin will mark the first time Camara has raced the updated GEN3 Evo cars, featuring four-wheel drive in Attack Mode, and done a race with the fast-charging Pit Boost stops.

“In regards to the race itself, there are a number of firsts I’ll have to face in Berlin,” he said. “The Pit Boost and the all-wheel-drive system introduced for GEN3 Evo car are a couple of them, as well as the new softer tire spec, but I’ll do plenty of laps on the simulator and try to arrive as prepared as I possibly can.

“I’m also really keen to team up with Oli, he’s a driver I’ve always admired for his speed and he’s proven that so far this year with his incredible performances. It’s a great chance for me to learn from him, we get on well and I’m confident we will work together strongly in Berlin.”