Nick Cassidy has not ruled out the possibility of dovetailing his Formula E career with a return to racing in Japan.
Cassidy confirmed earlier in the year that he would call time on both the Super Formula and Super GT championships after 2020 to give him time to prepare for his debut Formula E campaign.
However, Cassidy says he is still open to the opportunity of combining a gig in Formula E alongside either a return to Super GT or Super Formula. Though any chance of that happening this year remain slim given the ongoing uncertainties with international travel.
“I always wanted to keep racing in Japan and combine racing in Formula E with racing in Japan,” Cassidy told Autosport. “But the thing that makes that difficult now is travel.
“I hope when the situation with travel changes, I’m able to come back. I want to leave that possibility open because I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
The Kiwi alluded to Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist as a prime example. Rosenqvist was able to split a season in Super Formula with Formula E in 2017 – a path Cassidy is eager to follow.
“I look at someone like Felix Rosenqvist, he was able to do both Formula E and Super Formula or SUPER GT. It seems like the perfect programme.”
Cassidy has forged out a successful career in Japan over the last four years, and he is now regarded as one of the nation’s most successful drivers.
He claimed a driver’s title in the 2017 Super GT Championship. He then followed that up by claiming the Super Formula crown in the 2019.
Reflecting on his time in both championships, Cassidy says he leaves Japan with his tail up knowing that in each season he was able to take the fight for the driver’s and team’s titles almost every season.
“For sure I’ve learned a lot, I think in some ways I hope the team has learned a lot as well,” he said. “At both TOM’S and Kondo Racing, the level increased with the things that I brought to the team. I am proud to have been able to contribute to that.
“For the last four years now, in all championships I’ve gone to the last race fighting for the championship. I have a lot of experience of dealing with high pressure, fighting for the championship in the last race, also of winning or being a close second.
“I’m quite proud because I think I can do my best performances under high pressure. That’s turned into one of my strengths as a driver and I hope to keep that for the rest of my career.”
Cassidy’s debut Formula E race is slated to kick with a double-header in Saudi Arabia at the end of February.
Formula E is expected to announce up to five races that will take place after the opening event in the final week of January.