Ghiotto and Martins in at Nissan for Berlin Rookie Test

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Ghiotto and Martins in at Nissan for Berlin Rookie Test

Nissan will give reigning FIA Formula 3 champion Victor Martins and multiple Formula 2 race-winner Luca Ghiotto a seat at this month's Rookie Test in Berlin, 24 April.

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Ghiotto will take to the Tempelhof Airport Circuit, with the former GP3 Series runner-up also confirmed as simulator driver. The 28-year-old Italian has been working in the team's simulator since the start of the current Formula E season and has a strong racing CV, including six wins in F2.

EXPLAINED: A quick guide to the Berlin Rookie Test

Frenchman Martins is part of the Alpine Academy – BWT Alpine F1 Team's young driver program – and has already taken two podiums and a pole position across the opening three rounds of his debut F2 season. The 21-year-old has impressed many during his junior career, winning the Formula Renault Eurocup title in 2020, before moving up to F3, where he took the 2022 crown.

Ghiotto: 'I can't wait to see how GEN3 feels'

"I'm really excited to be part of the Nissan Formula E Team, in such an incredible championship," said the Italian. "Nissan is a massive brand, which makes this even more special. I can't wait to feel a Formula E car in real life for the first time. My job as simulator driver is to help the team by testing different settings and programs, as the on-track time in Formula E is quite limited, meaning our data from the simulator can be really important during race weekends.

"The Rookie Test will definitely aid my work at the factory, as I'll have a reference and understanding of how the real car feels. So, on top of it being an exciting opportunity for me, it will also help for the next time I'm in the virtual world. The Berlin track looks really fun. I've driven it on the simulator and I'm looking forward to getting out there and experiencing it."

Martins: 'What an honour'

"It's a huge honor to be selected for the Rookie Test with Nissan," says Martins. "The team has a close relationship with the Alpine Academy, which I'm a part of, and it's a great chance for me to experience a Formula E car for the first time. I've already been in the simulator and found it really interesting.

"There's a lot to learn and I have to use a different style of driving. It's a great opportunity to keep expanding my skillset across different cars, and I'm excited to give it a try. I'll look to make the most of the test and learn as much as I can from the team and my time on track."

"We're really pleased to have Luca on board," adds Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal, Nissan Formula E Team. "He's been working in the simulator since the beginning of the season so it made sense to give him an opportunity in the car. This will be valuable for the team as the test will benefit Luca in the simulator and give him plenty of experience to help us develop our performance.

"Victor is a young and promising driver, and we're pleased to be using our connections with the Alpine Academy and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. It's great for the championship to be attracting rising stars like him. He's making his F2 debut this year and is showing strong signs, so it was a natural choice for us to offer him a chance in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04."