Prior to the latest Formula E season commencing in December, Nissan has purchased a stake in e.dams, the championship-winning team that’s competed in the sport since Season 1.

Nissan will be the first Japanese carmaker to compete in Formula E and earlier this year, released the first images of the livery it will use. Purchasing a stake in e.dams and partnering with the successful racing outfit should allow Nissan to compete at the front of the field from the very first race.

With previous partner Renault, e.dams won the Team Championship in the first three seasons and holds the records for the most wins and pole positions.

Nissan’s Formula E certainly looks the part.

“For Nissan’s first Formula E experience, it makes sense to partner with e.dams and be able to draw on the organization’s experience of winning races and championships,” Nissan corporate vice president ad global head of marketing and brand strategy Roel de Vries said.

“The level of competition in Formula E will get even more intense for season five, with a series-mandated all-new car and powertrain. As part of our commitment to our partnership, Nissan has now purchased an ownership stake in the organization, and we’re excited to work with Jean-Paul and his team.”

Formula E Season 5 promises to be one of the most exciting in the championship’s short history. Most importantly, the new season will mark the debut of the Gen2 car, a racer with double the energy storage capacity of the Gen1 car, eliminating the need for drivers to swap cars in the middle of a race.

Additionally, BMW will become a full manufacturer team for Season 5 and Felipe Massa will make his return to motorsport by driving for the Venturi Formula E team.