Sacha Fenestraz believes one of many causes his time in Method E got here to a untimely finish is as a result of he did not match team-mate Oliver Rowland, who he claims “is well on a par” with Max Verstappen.
The French-Argentine endured a tough sophomore season within the all-electric championship for Nissan, claiming solely 5 factors finishes from 16 races and ending the marketing campaign seventeenth within the drivers’ standings.
This was in stark distinction with Rowland, the Briton claiming two wins in Misano and London and being a championship challenger for a lot of the season on his return to Nissan.
Chatting with completely to Autosport’s sister website, Motorsport Latam, Fenestraz mentioned a number of elements meant he was unable to showcase the identical flashes of pace seen throughout his maiden season, together with being up in opposition to Rowland, who he in contrast with three-time Method 1 champion Verstappen.
“I got here into the season saying to myself ‘I wish to be the chief of the group, I wish to beat him’ however I believe it was unrealistic as a result of we’re speaking about Rowland, who was in his seventh season in Method E,” he mentioned.
“For me it was solely my second season, it is a championship that if you happen to take a look at it, all of the drivers on the entrance are drivers who’ve been in Method E for years, they’ve a variety of expertise, they’re additionally a lot older drivers.
“And me, at 24 years outdated [at the time], I haven’t got the identical expertise as a driver like him and in addition, Oliver at his greatest is well on a par with Verstappen.
“He is superb buddies with Verstappen and this 12 months Verstappen was telling Oliver that it is a pity he is not in Method 1 as a result of he’d be overshadowing him, so folks inside motorsport know the potential he has.”
Oliver Rowland, Nissan Method E Crew, third place, with group mates together with Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Method E Crew, rejoice on the podium ceremony
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Fenestraz additionally revealed he had been assured by Nissan’s administration that he could be retained for the 2024/25 season firstly of August and see out the ultimate 12 months of a three-year contract.
However he claimed he came upon by way of social media lower than a month later he had been let go having been replaced by former team-mate Norman Nato and that “I did not take it properly”.
Fenestraz had additionally turned down one other group’s provide to drive in Method E previous to being let go by Nissan however with testing for the brand new season commencing in lower than a month and solely two spots but to be introduced on the grid, each at ERT, he has needed to flip his consideration to different championships.
This features a return to Tremendous Method, the place Fenestraz was previous to his two-year stint in Method E after ending runner-up in 2022, in addition to the World Endurance Championship having been provided a works drive with an unnamed group.
“Happily, I’ve provides, there are alternatives on the market,” mentioned Fenestraz.
“The reality is that we’ve the opportunity of returning to Japan with Nissan or Toyota.
“Additionally, now I acquired a suggestion for a double programme with WEC and IMSA, with a LMDH automotive, with a producer.
“I’ve a gathering with my supervisor in London and from there we’ll say what to do and announce. I believe will probably be introduced between now and November or December for positive, however the choice from my aspect can be very quickly.”