Nissan Formula E Team has a big announcement regarding **Formula E Practice**. They confirmed two promising drivers: Abbi Pulling and Gabriele Minì will compete in the Rookie Free Practice. This event is scheduled for Miami. It is a crucial moment for developing talent and presents a valuable opportunity for Nissan during this **Formula E Practice** session. The session occurs at the Miami International Autodrome, a circuit hosting Formula E for the third time and marking the team’s third event in Florida. This new venue poses a unique challenge for the **Formula E Practice**.
The Miami E-Prix: A New Setting for Formula E Practice
Formula E is returning to Miami for the Miami E-Prix. The race is set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, marking Round 3 of Season 12. The chosen venue is the Miami International Autodrome, located within the Hard Rock Stadium complex. This track previously hosted EVO Sessions in 2025. Formula E has a history in Miami, with an earlier race held on the Biscayne Bay Street Circuit only once. The 2025-26 season sees the E-Prix move to this new Autodrome, sharing its location with the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. This circuit represents a fresh challenge for many teams, and Nissan views it as a prime opportunity for data collection during **Formula E Practice**. The track features a revised, shorter configuration blending high-speed sections with tight, technical corners. This **Formula E Practice** session offers a comprehensive Formula E experience, and notably, Miami serves as Formula E’s sole United States stop this season.
Abbi Pulling: A Champion’s Trajectory in Formula E Practice
Abbi Pulling is a confirmed participant and holds the role of Nissan’s rookie and simulator driver. Pulling brings an impressive resume to the team, being the reigning 2024 F1 Academy champion. Her F1 Academy season was exceptionally dominant, with Pulling securing nine victories and achieving podium finishes in all 14 races. She is widely recognized as a highly promising young racing talent. Pulling has prior racing experience at the Miami International Autodrome, where she achieved two impressive victories during her 2024 F1 Academy title run. She possesses extensive experience with Formula E’s GEN3 Evo machinery, having competed in multiple all-women’s test sessions where she consistently led the timesheets. Pulling also participated in the Berlin Rookie Test, impressively completing 98 laps. She has attended numerous Nissan race weekends, and her dedicated simulator work significantly aids team development. Pulling began her motorsport journey at age eight in karting, earning two British Championship karting titles. She has also competed in the GB3 Championship, recording a strong fifth-place finish in her debut race at Silverstone. Pulling harbors a clear ambition to reach Formula 1, and her involvement in **Formula E Practice** is a significant step.
Gabriele Minì: Ascending the Ranks for Formula E Practice
Gabriele Minì will also represent Nissan. He is a talented Italian racing driver and a valued member of the Alpine Academy, currently competing in the prestigious FIA Formula 2 Championship. Minì has already secured podium finishes in Formula 2, with notable achievements at Monaco, Silverstone, and Abu Dhabi. He is set to race full-time in F2 in 2026. Minì’s participation with Nissan stems from their collaboration with Alpine Racing. He has consistently impressed in previous Formula E Rookie Tests, notably topping the timesheets at the Berlin Rookie Test. Minì also previously tested for Nissan in Jeddah, achieving strong top-ten finishes in those earlier sessions. Minì has a successful record in Formula 3 racing, finishing second overall in the 2024 season and securing multiple race wins. Minì commenced his racing career in karting at the young age of seven, claiming the Italian Championship title in 2017. He further achieved championship success in the WSK Super Master Series and was a runner-up in the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship. His participation in **Formula E Practice** highlights his potential.
The Strategic Importance of Rookie Free Practice
Formula E strategically utilizes Rookie Free Practice sessions, which are designated for experienced drivers from other racing disciplines. This session offers invaluable, real-time track exposure, allowing drivers to experience Formula E’s cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car firsthand. It represents a crucial stepping stone for nurturing emerging motorsport talent. Regulations now allow teams to utilize two cars in FP0, and Nissan is actively leveraging this rule. This decision allows for extended track time for their chosen drivers and facilitates crucial data collection for the team, essential for preparing for subsequent practice sessions. Furthermore, it strengthens relationships with developing drivers. Pulling and Minì will gain further valuable experience driving the advanced Nissan e-4ORCE 05. Nissan’s Team Principal, Tommaso Volpe, emphasizes the session’s strategic value, noting the circuit is entirely new to the Formula E calendar, making data collection vital. Driver continuity is also highly beneficial, helping drivers adapt more quickly to the unfamiliar track, ultimately benefiting the entire team’s performance and significantly enhancing the drivers’ own racing experience during this important **Formula E Practice**.
Nissan’s Broader Motorsport Vision
Nissan maintains a strong, long-term commitment to Formula E, holding the distinction of being the first manufacturer to commit to the upcoming GEN4 era through to 2030. This directly supports their overarching “Ambition 2030” electrification goals. Nissan participates in Formula E with a clear objective: to promote the excitement and innovation of electric vehicles. Their corporate goal is carbon neutrality by 2050, with plans to transition all new vehicle offerings to electric power by the early 2030s. Motorsport activities, like Formula E, directly fuel innovation for their production road cars. This Rookie session perfectly aligns with their forward-thinking strategy, serving to nurture promising future talent for the sport and provide essential real-world race data for their **Formula E Practice** endeavors.
The Road Ahead: Anticipation Builds for Formula E Practice
The Rookie Free Practice session is scheduled for Friday, January 30, commencing at 14:30 local time. This session officially kicks off the Miami E-Prix weekend. The entire session lasts for 40 minutes, during which drivers will operate the advanced GEN3 Evo cars, renowned for their rapid acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in just 1.82 seconds, surpassing current Formula 1 cars. This developing story is generating buzz and represents a significant headline for Formula E’s future. Nissan is clearly investing in its driver pipeline, with Pulling and Minì being central figures in this strategic vision. Their performance during this **Formula E Practice** session will undoubtedly attract considerable attention. This announcement fuels anticipation for the race weekend and stands as a notable headline within the motorsport news landscape, showcasing the importance of **Formula E Practice** for driver development and team strategy.
