Oliver Rowland won the Miami E-Prix, marking his third victory of the Formula E season. Despite starting second and facing mechanical issues post-qualifying crash, his strategic tactics and aggressive driving led to a crucial overtaking manoeuvre for the win, extending his championship lead significantly.
Oliver Rowland claimed victory in the Formula E Miami E-Prix, further extending his championship lead. Starting from second after an unfortunate crash during qualifying, Rowland executed a clever race strategy that showcased his driving talent and Nissan’s team prowess. While it seemed like a smooth run on the surface, the reality was quite different with several challenges he had to overcome.
Rowland’s race began on a tense note, having crashed into a barrier while attempting to secure pole position against his old karting rival, Taylor Barnard. Although he made it back to the pits for repairs before the race, he questioned the car’s condition during the formation lap. His fears were validated by strange noises, followed by a gearbox temperature alarm during the race, leading him to suspect damage from the crash.
Despite these issues, Rowland’s focus shifted to the race strategy and on overtaking Barnard, who initially retained the lead. After a few laps of battling, Rowland executed an overtaking move on Lap 12 after both drivers skidded slightly off track. There was some frustration in his corner regarding the manoeuvres of Barnard, as Rowland stated, “I was fully up on the inside. It was my corner.”
The race included multiple Full Course Yellows, particularly after a crash from Antonio Felix da Costa and a power issue for Mitch Evans. Rowland had a somewhat unorthodox race strategy, opting for a late Attack Mode. This strategy saw him fall to fifth places in the closing laps. Rowland vented his frustration over radio communications, emphasising that he wanted to activate Attack Mode earlier to avoid losing position.
However, the late-game push turned out to be effective as Rowland managed to quickly advance past Mahindra’s Edoardo Mortara and Andretti’s Nico Mueller. His manoeuvring skills soon brought him to face Jake Dennis, ultimately allowing him to reclaim second place before setting his sights on Nyck de Vries for the win.
With about two laps to go, Rowland executed a sensational overtaking move on de Vries at the tunnel exit, solidifying his lead. He maintained a two-second gap to the finish, marking his third win of the season and further bolstering his championship lead to 94 points compared to reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein’s 60 points.
Rowland’s victory in Miami highlights not only his skill and determination but also cements Nissan’s position in the ongoing championship, emphasizing effective collaboration and strategy.
Rowland’s strategic decision-making and tenacity in overcoming early setbacks, including a crash during qualifying, were key to his victory. His ability to adapt under pressure and execute crucial overtakes proved essential, resulting in an enhanced championship lead. Having won three out of six races so far this season, Rowland’s performance sets a strong pace for the remainder of the Formula E campaign.
Original Source: www.autosport.com