Nissan to replace Renault in Formula E

Formula E's leading manufacturer, Renault, "could have its entry taken over by Nissan," according to Rencken & Mitchell of MOTORSPORT.

The Renault-Nissan alliance, "one of the world's biggest automotive partnerships," has been discussing "how to best operate" works motorsport programs for the French and Japanese makes. In addition to joining Formula E for the '15-16 season, Renault "returned to Formula 1 with a works team last year after reclaiming the Enstone-based Lotus entry."

The rebuilding of the F1 team "included a huge recruitment drive for personnel at Enstone," while it also funds its engine program in Viry-Chatillon. Renault spent an estimated £150M in '16, £80M of which "it funded itself."

Dropping its successful Formula E program "would allow it to add" more than £10M ($12.9M) to that. Meanwhile, Nissan has been searching for a "flagship" motorsport program "since axing its failed LMP1 project" at the end of '15.

No decision has been made and "it is not guaranteed Nissan, which would be Formula E's first Japanese manufacturer, will take over from Renault for next season." MOTORSPORT