Oliver Rowland has said his Nissan Formula E Team are “gelling in a good way,” after the Brit cemented his title credentials with a commanding victory in Race 2 of the Jeddah E-Prix.
Starting from second, Rowland played a team strategy perfectly, using his Attack Modes well to overcome the challenge of NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard to claim his second win of the season.
Rowland told Motorsport Week that, whilst his team and himself are now being labelled as one of the title favourites, you can’t be complacent.
“I don’t think you can expect it in this game,” he said. “Look, I’m always very clear with what I want to achieve each weekend. I have set out goals in my mind, which I focus on.
“I’m getting more and more experience with my team. We know what the car needs, we know what I need. We’re gelling in a good way, so I’m really happy.”
‘He’s very much like me’ – Rowland proud of protege Barnard
The race result had to significant additional points of interest with the first all-British podium in FE history, with Jake Hughes claiming third, and Jake Dennis finishing fourth to make it a UK quartet, as well as Barnard being a product of Rowland’s karting team initiative.
Rowland said that he noticed the talent of the 20-year-old – who became FE’s youngest-ever pole-sitter this weekend – and isn’t surprised to see him sharing a podium with him now.
“I saw his talent when he was 11, 12. He needed help because he had no backing or funding and managed to find him a really good seat so he could show even more of his talent.
“And to be here at such a young age, youngest pole sitter, youngest podium, I think I have a good eye for that sort of stuff!
“But he deserves it. He’s very much like me. He came from a background that couldn’t afford to even do basic karting, so it’s nice to see him up here.”
Rowland added that he is proud of what the British youth system for young budding racing drivers has been able to do in terms of producing such a breadth of talented drivers.
“Britain is generally spoilt for drivers. You look in Formula 1, you look in Formula E, WEC, wherever, we have such a good grassroots karting that we really teach the kids very well and they’re able to perform.”
Rowland joked: “If we can put Britain on the map, from a selfish perspective, I don’t really care about the others, apart from him [Barnard] a little bit!”
READ MORE – Jeddah E-Prix: Oliver Rowland leads home British Formula E quartet
