Two personnel announcements published by Formula E on October 29 highlight the simulator and development work behind preparations for 2026/27. Callum Voisin joins Andretti as its Official Development Driver, while Sam Bird and Abbi Pulling remain at Nissan in their respective support roles. Those responsibilities should be distinguished from full-time race seats: the announcements do not replace either team’s confirmed race line-up.
Voisin moves from rookie testing into a continuing development role
Voisin drove for CUPRA KIRO at the 2025 Berlin Rookie Test before working with Andretti at the March 2026 Rookie Test at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid. His new role includes the simulator programme and race preparation, supporting Jake Dennis, Felipe Drugovich and the engineering team as they adapt to GEN4. Previous testing gives the partnership a foundation, but does not amount to a confirmed race drive.
The 20-year-old British-Swiss driver secured the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup GB title with two races to spare and finished the season with nine wins. He previously won the 2023 GB3 Championship and the 2024 Formula 3 Feature Race at Spa. Andretti’s new Team Principal Campbell Hobson highlighted his adaptability across categories and the contribution simulator work could make to understanding the new car.
Nissan retains two complementary support roles
Bird continues as Nissan’s Reserve and Development Driver. The 12-time Formula E race winner contributes through the simulator, testing and support for the engineering and strategy teams. He said significant time had been spent setting up the simulator for the new car, aiming to give Oliver Rowland and Zane Maloney a more accurate representation of its features. Those preparations still need to be checked against running on track.
Pulling remains Nissan’s Rookie and Simulator Driver. She has represented the team in the Women’s Test, Miami free practice sessions and the Madrid Rookie Test. She said she wanted to continue exploring GEN4 in the simulator before pursuing further track opportunities. Nissan’s confirmed race drivers are Rowland and Maloney; retaining its two support drivers does not alter that pairing.
INKA SPORTS analysis: appointments support the task of understanding a new car
Both announcements extend existing working relationships into preparation for a new technical era. Andretti adds Voisin to its simulator and development effort, while Nissan retains Bird’s racing experience and Pulling’s accumulated testing experience. Simulation helps drivers and engineers compare settings and learn functions in advance, but testing must still establish how closely the model represents the track. These appointments alone do not show that either team has gained a performance advantage.
Conclusion: testing will provide the next measure of the preparation
Nissan’s announcement lists pre-season testing at Spain’s Circuito del Jarama on November 16–20. Before then, these roles are intended to connect car development, simulation and race preparation. Alongside the race drivers, these roles will support feedback on the new car and day-to-day preparation. Pre-season testing is the next opportunity to observe how the simulator work translates into running on track.
