‘Nissan was my last big chance’: Oliver Rowland’s comeback from the sidelines to the Formula E championship

Oliver Rowland has just become the new Formula E champion but two years back the scenario was quite different. The British driver actually left Mahindra Racing in the middle of the season in 2023, and almost everyone considered that his career was over. He was sitting at home without any other team waiting for him. 

Rowland who has been recalling that moment says he reached a situation where he was not having fun anymore and felt like going nowhere. ​ 

The decision to quit was hard on his mind. He remembers being unable to sleep for several weeks because he was uncertain about the next step. But the pause did help him to determine what was really important to him and what he wished to get from his racing career. 

Why Nissan Turned Out to be Everything?

It was a surprise for everyone when Nissan offered Rowland a second chance just before Season 10. Both the driver and the team had gone through difficulties and would need to renew their relationship. For Rowland, this was not just a new chance but probably the last one.

He understood that if things didn’t work out with Nissan, his Formula E career would be over. That pressure made him approach everything differently. Here are the key changes he made:​

• Focused on doing every small thing right​
• Kept a learning mindset instead of stressing about immediate results​
• Built better relationships with the engineering team​
• Stayed humble and open to feedback​

Platforms like Khelo24race cover how drivers handle pressure in electric racing series, and Rowland’s story shows how mental strength matters just as much as speed.​

Season 10 Showed Promise

Rowland’s return to Nissan was a success and he was able to capture 4 podiums and win at Misano, which marked his second career win. The finished product emphasized that he still had the capabilities to go neck to neck with the best.

However, the season was not all good. The races in Portland were missed due to sickness, which negatively impacted his title contention that year. Nevertheless, he was able to recover and take yet another victory at the final race in London. This outcome gave everyone the confidence coming into Season 11.

Shaping a Championship Run

The 11th season started out with frustration. Rowland was penalized for power exceeding limits during the São Paulo race which put an end to his win right from the start. However, a click of the mind happened and he started a phenomenal streak.

In the next eight races, he was first or second in 7 of them. His regularity in driving resulted in such a dramatic points lead above the rest that Rowland said it was not just his driving but the whole Nissan team which made this possible.

The ambiance in the team was very positive. All the members were eager to learn and were very open about criticism as they saw it as a way to better themselves rather than a personal attack. Tommaso Volpe, the team principal, and Dorian Boisdron, sporting director, hired people with the right mindset.

Dealing with Being in Front

Having a big championship lead brought its own challenges. Formula E races can be unpredictable, and anything can happen on any weekend. Rowland admits he kept doubting himself even when everyone else thought the championship was already his.​

He felt different pressure compared to earlier seasons when he was chasing others. Now he had everyone behind him trying to catch up, and his main thought was just not messing it up. Even with a 69-point lead after Jakarta, he didn’t feel relaxed.​

Winning It All in Berlin

Rowland clinched the title at Round 14 in Berlin. He was the third qualifier but had to start the race from eighth position due to a penalty incurred in the previous race. Yet, he orchestrated his race to perfection and crossed the line in fourth place, just enough to be crowned the winner. 

That day the emotions were overwhelming for him. He experienced everything from impatience before the race to nervousness and even a quivering feeling that he might be crying. But he managed to pull himself together like a pro and rolled out with a world title under his belt. 

Khelo24race and other similar platforms covering the series have been following these emotional ups and downs of the British racer who, in just two years, went from no team to being the champion. 

What Comes Next?

Rowland’s intention is to bring his career in Formula E to a close. He would like to be part of the series’ development and to witness it reaching even greater heights before he eventually exits. Meanwhile, he is still coming to terms with his achievement. 

The whole process of summer 2023 to champion seems wild even to him. The nights when he had no contract and thus no sleep seem like a long time ago now. From a mental health aspect, he feels much more liberated than before, as if a heavy burden has been lifted.