Formula E: How Oliver Rowland Became Nissan’s Winning Choice

Oliver Rowland is considered one of the best drivers on the Formula E grid, after a great performance in Season 11. How did the Brit obtain this fame?

Oliver Rowland’s career: his journey to Formula E, the misadventure in Mahindra and the results with Nissan

Rowland was born in Sheffield, UK, in 1992. At seven, he debuted in the karting series and jumped to the single-seater championship in 2010.

The British driver raced for a year in Formula Renault, finishing the season in seventh position.

In 2013, Rowland debuted in the Formula Renault 2.0, where he conquered the vice-champion title.

In 2014, he changed teams and raced for a second year in the same category, coming second once again. Rowland then went on to win the Formula Renault 2.0 in 2015.

Also in 2015, Rowland took part in some races of GP2, signing a contract with MP Motorsport for the 2016 season. Oliver finished his first year in the category ninth in the standings, switching to DAMS in 2017.

During his second season in the category – which changed its name from GP2 to Formula 2 – the Brit collected two wins, obtaining third place in the championship.

While competing in F2 in 2017, Rowland became Renault’s test driver. In 2018, he covered the same role for the Williams team.

Rowland’s first steps in Formula E

Rowland debuted in Formula E during Season 2. The British driver was chosen by Mahindra to replace Nick Heidfeld during the third round.

After the great performance in Formula 2, Nissan e.dams chose Rowland as its official driver for Season 5. Oliver conquered two podiums: the first during the Sanya E-Prix, and the second one in Monaco. He finished tenth in the standings.

Rowland kept racing with Nissan even in Season 6.

During his second year in the electric championship, the Brit collected his first win in the category, coming first at the end of the Berlin E-Prix. At the end of the year, he was fifth in the standings.

Rowland re-signed with Nissan for a third year, but Season 7 wasn’t as good as he had hoped it would be. Oliver stepped twice on the podium, but he closed the season in 14th place.

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The troubled experience in Mahindra

At the end of Season 7, Rowland left Nissan to join the Mahindra team. The Brit lived a difficult season, reaching the point-zone only in four situations.

The highlight of his season was the Seoul E-Prix, where he conquered second place.

At the end of the year, he was 14th in the standings.

Rowland stayed with Mahindra even for Season 8, but things didn’t go as planned. The best result collected by Oliver was the sixth place of the Hyderabad E-Prix.

After the race in Jakarta, the Indian team and Rowland parted ways. Roberto Mehri replaced him.

Rowland back with Nissan

Rowland was not on the Formula E grid for the rest of the year, coming back in a full-time role for Season 10.

Nissan selected him to replace Norman Nato, with the Brit racing alongside Sacha Fenestraz.

The Brit seemed in great shape since the first race of the season, conquering three podiums during the first five rounds. Rowland conquered his first victory of Season 10 in Misano, after the disqualification of Antonio Felix Da Costa.

He remained involved in the title fight until the Portland weekend when he skipped the round due to health problems.

Rowland conquered the win of the London E-Prix, the last race of the season and finished Season 10 in fourth position and re-signed with Nissan for Season 11.

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