This article needs to be updated. (August 2023) |
Oliver Eric Rowland (born 10 August 1992) is a British racing driver. He currently competes in Formula E driving for Nissan Formula E Team. He has previously competed for Manor Motorsport in the 2018 WEC season, and he was also previously the young driver of Williams F1 Team during the 2018 Formula 1 season.
| Oliver Rowland | |
|---|---|
 Rowland in 2024 | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Born | 10 August 1992 Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England |
| Formula E career | |
| Debut season | 2015–16 |
| Current team | Nissan Formula E Team |
| Racing licence |  FIA Platinum |
| Car number | 23 |
| Former teams | Nissan e.dams Mahindra Racing |
| Starts | 78 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Podiums | 13 |
| Poles | 8 |
| Fastest laps | 3 |
| Best finish | 4th in 2023–24 |
| Finished last season | 4th (156 pts) |
| Previous series | |
| 2017 2015–16 2014–15 2012–13 2013 2011 2010–11 | FIA Formula 2 Championship GP2 Series Formula Renault 3.5 Series Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Formula Renault UK FR2.0 UK Winter/Finals Series |
| Championship titles | |
| 2015 2011 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series FR2.0 UK Finals Series |
| Awards | |
| 2011 2011 | McLaren Autosport Award BRDC SuperStar |
Early career
editKarting
editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (July 2018) |
Born in Barnsley, Rowland began karting at the age of seven, and spent a successful decade racing in the various classes around the United Kingdom. After finishing second in the Super 1 National Cadet Championship in 2002, Rowland won the championship for the next two years. In 2005, Rowland moved into the JICA class series, and again finished as a championship runner-up, finishing just two points behind Will Stevens. Rowland also narrowly missed out on the title in 2006, finishing one point behind champion Jack Harvey, and was also second in the Monaco Kart Cup driving for Zip Kart, behind Millennium Motorsport's Scott Jenkins. He also finished 20th in the European Championship for the class. After his two previous runner-up campaigns, Rowland took the Super 1 JICA title in 2007, 30 points clear of nearest rival Tom Joyner. Joyner did however take the British Open Championship, where Rowland finished in third position. In the continental races, Rowland could only finish 25th in Monaco, and 37th in the European Championship. Rowland moved up to the KF2 class in 2008, and became a member of the Tony Kart Racing Team. Rowland won the CIK-FIA World Cup event in, and also placed third in the WSK International Series and fifth in the European Championship. He also competed in the KF1 Asia-Pacific series, where he finished eleventh.
In 2009, Rowland competed for most of the season in Super KF, competing for Chiesa Corse. He finished sixth in the European Championship, ninth in the World Cup, and twelfth in the World Championship; his best result came at the South Garda Winter Cup, where he finished in fourth position. Rowland remained in Super KF in 2010, where he won his second World Cup crown, and also finished 16th in the KZ1 version of the series.
Formula Renault
edit
Rowland left karting and stepped into Formula Renault, contesting the 2010 Formula Renault UK Winter Series with CRS Racing. He also received sponsorship from the Racing Steps Foundation, which funded his graduation into car racing.[1] He took two twelfth-place finishes in his first car racing meeting at Snetterton, but eventually took his first win in the final race of the championship, at Pembrey.[2] The victory helped to move up into seventh place in the championship standings, finishing tied on points with Luke Wright but ahead on countback.
Rowland moved to Fortec Motorsport for a full British championship campaign in 2011.[3] Rowland took his first podium of the season, with third place at Donington Park, starting a run of four consecutive podiums – all third places – before a run of just two podium finishes in seven races. Rowland's last seven races were his best in the championship, taking four wins, four fastest laps, three pole positions and three second places. As a result of the strong run, Rowland became the winner of the Graduate Cup for young drivers, and finished as runner-up to teammate Alex Lynn in the main championship; the runner-up position was only sealed on the final lap of the final race, setting the quickest lap to score two bonus points in order to move him into a tie on points with Tio Ellinas, but with four wins to Ellinas' two, he placed ahead on countback.[4] He also contested the Formula Renault UK Finals Series with the team, and comfortably won the championship with four race wins from six races.[5] Rowland was nominated for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award due to his performances in the main series.[6] On 4 December 2011, after the evaluation tests held at Silverstone, Rowland was named as the winner of the award, taking the £100,000 cash prize and a Formula One test with McLaren.[7] He led the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championship after taking his third victory of the 2013 season at the Red Bull Ring, eventually finishing the season second in the standings.
He was part of the McLaren young driver programme in 2007–2010[8]
Formula Renault 3.5
edit
Rowland signed a contract with Fortec Motorsport in July 2013 to race the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in the 2014 season. He finished fourth overall with two wins and seven podiums.[9]
Rowland continued with Fortec Motorsport in the 2015 Formula Renault 3.5. He won eight races out of 17, becoming champion in the penultimate round.[10]
Rowland won a test with Red Bull F1 at Silverstone for leading the series in 2015.[11]
GP2 Series
editIn 2015, Rowland made his GP2 debut at Silverstone with MP Motorsport. He finished in the points in both races. He contested in three other rounds with MP and Status Grand Prix.
In February 2016, it was announced that Rowland would compete in the series full-time with MP, with whom he finished ninth.
For the 2017 season, Rowland switched to the DAMS squad, finishing third in the championship.[12]
Formula One
editIn February 2016, Rowland was confirmed as a member of Renault's young driver program,[13] and in April 2017 Rowland was signed to the role of development driver to the Renault F1 Team.[14]
In February 2018 Rowland was confirmed as Williams Martini Racing's official Junior Driver.[15]
Formula E
editMahindra Racing (2015)
editRowland competed in the 2015 Punta del Este ePrix with Mahindra Racing, in place of Nick Heidfeld, who had to undergo surgery for ligament damaged that he sustained during the Putrajaya ePrix.[16] Rowland started the race 16th on the grid, and managed to finish in 13th place. He did not race again in Formula E for the rest of the season, but he served as a studio pundit for the television broadcast at some of the remaining races.[17]
Nissan e.dams (2017–2021)
edit2016–17 season
edit
During the 2016-17 season, Rowland was hired by Renault e.Dams as a standby replacement for Sébastien Buemi for the 2017 Mexico City ePrix.[18]
2018–19 season
editIn November 2018, Rowland joined the championship full-time with the newly re-branded Nissan e.Dams following the departure of Alexander Albon to Toro Rosso.[19] He claimed his first pole in Formula E in Sanya ePrix and finished in second place in the race, which was his first podium in Formula E.
2019–20 season
editHe took his first Formula E win at the 2020 Berlin ePrix, leading every lap after starting on pole position.[20]
2020–21 season
editThis section needs to be updated. (August 2023) |
Return to Mahindra (2022–2023)
edit2021–22 season
editRowland moved to Mahindra for the 2021–22 Formula E season.[21] He took his first points finish for the team at the 2022 Diriyah ePrix. Rowland retired from the inaugural Jakarta ePrix after losing one of this tyres on the second lap.[22]
2022–23 season
edit
Rowland remained with Mahindra for the 2022–23 season alongside Lucas di Grassi, who replaced Alexander Sims.[23] Ahead of the Jakarta ePrix, Rowland was announced to have parted ways with Mahindra with immediate effect, and Roberto Merhi was drafted to replace him.[24]
Return to Nissan (2024—)
edit2023–24 season
edit
Rowland reunited with Nissan, the team he drove from 2018 to 2021, for the 2023–24 season alongside Sacha Fenestraz.[25] Rowland had the best season of his Formula E career, scoring 7 podiums, 2 pole positions and 2 wins, finishing the season in 4th with 156 points, beating Fenestraz who finished 17th with only 26 points.
2024–25 season
editRowland remained with Nissan for the 2024–25 season alongside Norman Nato, who replaces Sacha Fenestraz.[26]
Racing record
editCareer summary
editComplete Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Fortec Motorsports | BRI 1 5 |
BRI 2 Ret |
DON 1 3 |
DON 2 3 |
THR 1 3 |
THR 2 3 |
OUL 1 4 |
OUL 2 2 |
CRO 1 3 |
CRO 2 Ret |
SNE 1 4 |
SNE 2 7 |
SIL1 1 5 |
SIL1 2 2 |
ROC 1 1 |
ROC 2 2 |
BHGP 1 1 |
BHGP 2 1 |
SIL2 1 2 |
SIL2 2 1 |
2nd | 475 |
Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Fortec Motorsports | ALC 1 6 |
ALC 2 8 |
SPA 1 26 |
SPA 2 4 |
NÜR 1 8 |
NÜR 2 Ret |
MSC 1 3 |
MSC 2 3 |
HUN 1 16 |
HUN 2 6 |
LEC 1 15 |
LEC 2 6 |
CAT 1 5 |
CAT 2 1 |
3rd | 109 |
| 2013 | Manor MP Motorsport | ALC 1 10 |
ALC 2 3 |
SPA 1 1 |
SPA 2 33 |
MSC 1 2 |
MSC 2 1 |
RBR 1 5 |
RBR 2 1 |
HUN 1 8 |
HUN 2 3 |
LEC 1 6 |
LEC 2 3 |
CAT 1 2 |
CAT 2 28 |
2nd | 179 |
Complete Formula Renault 3.5 Series results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Fortec Motorsports | MNZ 1 6 |
MNZ 2 10 |
ALC 1 3 |
ALC 2 1 |
MON 1 5 |
SPA 1 Ret |
SPA 2 3 |
MSC 1 Ret |
MSC 2 5 |
NÜR 1 4 |
NÜR 2 Ret |
HUN 1 3 |
HUN 2 4 |
LEC 1 13 |
LEC 2 3 |
JER 1 2 |
JER 2 1 |
4th | 181 |
| 2015 | Fortec Motorsports | ALC 1 1 |
ALC 2 3 |
MON 1 6 |
SPA 1 5 |
SPA 2 1 |
HUN 1 3 |
HUN 2 1 |
RBR 1 1 |
RBR 2 2 |
SIL 1 2 |
SIL 2 1 |
NÜR 1 1 |
NÜR 2 10 |
BUG 1 1 |
BUG 2 8 |
JER 1 1 |
JER 2 2 |
1st | 307 |
Complete GP2 Series results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | MP Motorsport | BHR FEA |
BHR SPR |
CAT FEA |
CAT SPR |
MON FEA |
MON SPR |
RBR FEA |
RBR SPR |
SIL FEA 10 |
SIL SPR 7 |
HUN FEA |
HUN SPR |
SPA FEA NC |
SPA SPR Ret |
MNZ FEA |
MNZ SPR |
SOC FEA |
SOC SPR |
21st | 3 | ||||
| Status Grand Prix | BHR FEA 22 |
BHR SPR Ret |
YMC FEA 15 |
YMC SPR C | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | MP Motorsport | CAT FEA 10 |
CAT SPR 6 |
MON FEA 3 |
MON SPR 7 |
BAK FEA 4 |
BAK SPR 15† |
RBR FEA 6 |
RBR SPR 2 |
SIL FEA 3 |
SIL SPR 3 |
HUN FEA 11 |
HUN SPR 6 |
HOC FEA 5 |
HOC SPR 5 |
SPA FEA 10 |
SPA SPR 6 |
MNZ FEA 9 |
MNZ SPR 9 |
SEP FEA 12 |
SEP SPR 8 |
YMC FEA Ret |
YMC SPR 11 |
9th | 107 |
† Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance.
Complete Formula E results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
† Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance.
Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | DAMS | BHR FEA 5 |
BHR SPR 3 |
CAT FEA 3 |
CAT SPR 2 |
MON FEA 1 |
MON SPR 9 |
BAK FEA 7 |
BAK SPR Ret |
RBR FEA 4 |
RBR SPR 3 |
SIL FEA 3 |
SIL SPR 17 |
HUN FEA 1 |
HUN SPR 2 |
SPA FEA DSQ |
SPA SPR 8 |
MNZ FEA Ret |
MNZ SPR 11 |
JER FEA 2 |
JER SPR 3 |
YMC FEA DSQ |
YMC SPR 7 |
3rd | 191 |
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | CEFC TRSM Racing | LMP1 | Ginetta G60-LT-P1 | Mecachrome V634P1 3.4 L Turbo V6 | SPA WD |
LMS Ret |
SIL | FUJ | SHA | SEB | SPA | LMS | NC | 0 |
24 Hours of Le Mans Results
edit| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  CEFC TRSM Racing
|
Alex Brundle Oliver Turvey
|
Ginetta G60-LT-P1-Mecachrome | LMP1 | 137 | DNF | DNF |
References
edit- ^ "Drivers set for RSF FRUK seat battle". racingsteps.co.uk. Racing Steps Foundation. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Thrilling Victory For Oliver Rowland At Pembrey". CRS Racing. CR Scuderia. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "RSF confirms 2011 driver line-up". racingsteps.co.uk. Racing Steps Foundation. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Champion Lynn and Rowland share the spoils at Silverstone". Renault Sport UK. Renault Sport. 16 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Rowland and Jiminez Takes the Titles". Renault Sport UK. Renault Sport. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ Turner, Kevin (6 October 2011). "McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award nominees for 2011 announced". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ O'Leary, Jamie (4 December 2011). "AUTOSPORT Awards McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC: Oliver Rowland". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ Simmons, Marcus. "McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner Oliver Rowland profile". Autosport.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ Arnau Viñals Vendrell, FormulaRapida.net "Rowland sings for Fortec Motorsport in Formula Renault 3.5 Series" "Rowland signs for Fortec Motorsport in Formula Renault 3.5 :: FormulaRapida.net". Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "International Racing - FR3.5: Rowland claims title as Orudzhev wins". Archived from the original on 28 September 2015.
- ^ Mills, Peter. "FR3.5 leader Oliver Rowland to run Red Bull F1 car at Silverstone". Autosport.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ "DAMS reveal 2017 line up". 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ "Renault Sport Racing launches Renault Sport Academy". Renault Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex. "Renault F1 team signs Oliver Rowland to development role for 2017". Autosport.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ "Oliver Rowland gets Williams F1 young driver role". formulascout.com. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ Smith, Luke (4 December 2015). "Rowland to replace Heidfeld for Punta del Este ePrix". MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Rowland "completely different person" after three Formula E seasons with Buemi". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, Scott (22 February 2017). "Rowland, Lynn set for Mexico Formula E duties". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Nissan e.dams confirms driver lineup for Formula E championship". 30 November 2018. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Rowland takes first Formula E win in Berlin finale opener". The Race. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Oliver Rowland". www.mahindraracing.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Jakarta E-Prix: Evans beats Vergne to win thriller in Indonesia". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Mahindra Racing Signs Lucas Di Grassi For Gen3 Era". The Official Home of Formula E. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Mackley, Stefan (28 May 2023). "Mahindra splits with Rowland, signs Merhi for Jakarta Formula E". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Oliver Rowland Makes Nissan Return". The Official Home of Formula E. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Nato rejoins Rowland to complete Nissan's Season 11 driver line-up". The Official Home of Formula E. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
External links
edit- Official website
- Oliver Rowland career summary at DriverDB.com
- British Racing Drivers' Club profile