In the vibrant chaos of the Mexico City E-Prix, Oliver Rowland delivered a masterclass in racing, turning a rollercoaster of emotions into a triumphant victory. Facing a haunting flashback to the Sao Paulo opener and a series of nail-biting challenges, Rowland’s gritty determination and sheer racing brilliance shattered Porsche’s Mexico City dominance and secured his fourth Formula E victory.
The Ghost of Sao Paulo Returns—Almost
Rowland’s race was a tactical thriller right from the start. Positioned fourth, he was gearing up to unleash his final six minutes of Attack Mode, sitting behind Jake Dennis and Porsche’s formidable duo, Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa. Just as he began his charge, a collision between David Beckmann and Zane Maloney triggered a safety car, forcing Rowland to pause his assault.
“I can’t believe it! Again,” Rowland fumed over the radio, recalling how a similar scenario in Sao Paulo snatched victory from his grasp.
But this time, the Mexican marshals worked quickly, and Rowland still had just over a minute of Attack Mode left when the race resumed. That window proved to be all the Nissan driver needed to transform his fate.
Three Moves, One Lap, and a Bold Gamble
As the safety car bunched up the field, Rowland found himself right on the tail of the Porsche juggernaut. What followed was a daring display of precision overtaking:
- Jake Dennis at Turn 1: Rowland capitalized on Dennis’ hesitation, slicing through cleanly.
- Pascal Wehrlein mid-lap: With a subtle feint, Rowland forced Wehrlein into a minor error, seizing the gap.
- Antonio Felix da Costa in the stadium: In a thrilling final move, Rowland braved the dirty outside line to brake late and edge past da Costa into Turn 12, taking the lead.
“I didn’t have time to plan it—it was all instinct,” Rowland recounted. “With Antonio, I thought, ‘F** it, I’m going in.’”*
The crowd erupted as Rowland completed his hat-trick of overtakes, cementing a lead that he would not relinquish.
The Second Safety Car and a Nervy Finish
The drama wasn’t over. Mitch Evans’ Jaguar crashed, prompting another safety car and setting up a tense finish. Despite being energy-poor compared to da Costa, Rowland’s defensive skills held firm. The Porsche driver’s attempts to reclaim the lead proved futile as Rowland’s tactical mastery and aggression prevailed.
“I knew the Porsches had a little more energy, but this was my race to lose,” Rowland said. “I wasn’t going to let it slip.”
A Win Dedicated to a Missing Teammate
Rowland’s victory was particularly emotional, as he dedicated it to his performance engineer, Asier Sebastien Galardi, who was hospitalized with suspected appendicitis before the race.
“He’s done an absolutely great job for us. Even before heading to the hospital, he came by to say, ‘I’ve made some changes, but I have to go.’ This win is for him,” Rowland said, promising to visit Galardi before flying home.
A Fighter’s Win for the History Books
Rowland’s triumph wasn’t just about clever strategy or raw speed—it was a racer’s win, forged through grit, daring, and the ability to overcome adversity. With this victory, Rowland banished the specters of missed opportunities and showcased why he remains one of Formula E’s most thrilling competitors.
The Mexican fans, known for their passion and appreciation of fearless driving, gave Rowland a hero’s welcome, recognizing a performance that will be talked about for years.