In front of a sell-out crowd at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Nissan’s Oliver Rowland delivered a masterclass in strategic racing to claim his first victory of the season at the Mexico City E-Prix. The dramatic win, secured in the closing laps of a Safety Car-affected race, marks a pivotal moment in Rowland’s championship challenge and underscores Nissan’s competitive pace in the season’s early stages.
Starting from the second row, Rowland showcased a blend of patience, skill, and aggression throughout the 36-lap contest.
Speaking after the race, an elated Rowland said: “This win means a lot to me and the team. It was all about staying calm, timing the moves right, and maximizing the opportunities when they came. The late Safety Cars were chaotic, but we stayed focused, and it all paid off in the end. Huge thanks to Nissan for giving me the car to fight at the front today.”
A race of tactics and turns for Rowland
The race began with pole-sitter Pascal Wehrlein leading the field into Turn 1, fending off a fast-starting António Félix da Costa. Initially under pressure from Andretti’s Jake Dennis, Rowland held his ground before engaging in a spirited battle with DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne early in the race in Mexico City.
Reflecting on the early stages, Rowland commented: “The first half of the race was all about maintaining position and conserving energy. It’s a fine balance between attacking and defending, especially with so many competitive drivers around you.”
The turning point came in the final laps when a pair of late Safety Car interventions bunched up the field. David Beckmann’s retirement triggered the first, while the second followed Mitch Evans’ collision with Nico Müller, leaving Rowland perfectly poised to strike.
The decisive moves
When racing in Mexico resumed, Rowland wasted no time in attacking the leaders. A bold overtake on da Costa saw him snatch the lead, drawing thunderous applause from the packed grandstands. Although another Safety Car briefly halted proceedings, Rowland remained composed at the restart, holding off the relentless pressure from da Costa and Wehrlein to take the checkered flag.
“I knew the Porsches had a slight energy advantage towards the end,” Rowland noted. “But I focused on clean exits and hitting my marks. It was close, but we managed to pull it off.”
Championship picture
With the victory, Rowland not only rejuvenates his championship hopes but also highlights Nissan’s potential in the tightly contested Formula E grid. Da Costa’s second-place finish keeps him atop the Drivers’ Championship standings, while Porsche strengthens its hold on the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles, thanks to Wehrlein’s podium finish and consistent points for the customer Andretti team.
Nissan is looking ahead
Rowland is brimming with confidence as the championship heads to its next round.
“This result sets the tone for the rest of the season. We’re hungry for more and determined to fight at the front every race.”
