Breaking news
Formula E Punta del Este ePrix
Exclusive: Rowland to replace Heidfeld in Uruguay
Oliver Rowland will replace Nick Heidfeld in the Mahindra Formula E team for the Punta del Este ePrix later this month, Motorsport.com can exclusively reveal.
Sam Smith
Edited: Dec 4, 2015, 1:06 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Formula Renault 3.5 champion Rowland has been drafted into the Indian team for the Uruguayan round after Heidfeld injured ligaments in his hand in the Putrajaya race last month.
On the recommendation of doctors, Heidfeld needs time to recover from his injury, but is expected to make a full recovery and be fit for the fourth round in Buenos Aires on February 6.
Rowland, who is currently taking part in the GP2 test in Abu Dhabi, will partner Bruno Senna after being chosen from a long list of possible replacements for the German ex-F1 driver.
Motorsport.com understands that Rowland was chosen because he could prove a good long-term prospect for any possible future outings in Formula E.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Rowland told Motorsport.com. “I have to say a big thanks to Mahindra and especially Dilbagh Gill for this opportunity.
"Mahindra is obviously a very competitive proposition, as they have shown in season two so far. All of it will be new for me and massively different to what I am used to, but I am going to give it my best shot and make the most of it.”
Mahindra has so far been one of only a few teams to pose a consistent threat to early pacesetters Renault e.DAMS and ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport so far this season, and made a bright start to the campaign with Heidfeld scoring a podium position at the season-opening Beijing ePrix.
However, the German then damaged his wrist in a miraculous opposite-lock save when he lost control of his car on a crumbling track surface at Putrajaya last month, and was forced to skip the FIA WEC finale in Bahrain as a result.
“I am going out there to learn and enjoy the experience,” added Rowland. “My main aim is to pay back the faith Mahindra have shown in me.
"It will be a massive challenge: A new car, new team, new way of going racing, but I am up for it.
"It is a bonus after a great year in my career but at the same time I want to achieve something really good for myself and the team.”
Rowland will be travelling to the Campos workshops in Valencia next week to familiarise himself with the team and to undertake simulator work.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mahindra Debrief: How they fared in Beijing and Putrajaya
Next article Rowland Q&A: "I want to repay the faith Mahindra has shown"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Sam Smith
Formula E won't change roadmap for new manufacturers
Formula E
Formula E
Formula E won't change roadmap for new manufacturers
Didier Artzet: The French F1 talent that slipped through the net
Formula 1
Formula 1
Didier Artzet: The French F1 talent that slipped through the net
Formula E teams warn against manufacturer-led "arms race"
Formula E
Formula E
Formula E teams warn against manufacturer-led "arms race"
More from
Oliver Rowland
The key mindset that led Oliver Rowland and Nissan to the Formula E title
Formula E
Formula E
Berlin ePrix II
The key mindset that led Oliver Rowland and Nissan to the Formula E title
Oliver Rowland clinches Formula E title as Nick Cassidy wins second Berlin E-Prix
Formula E
Formula E
Berlin ePrix II
Oliver Rowland clinches Formula E title as Nick Cassidy wins second Berlin E-Prix
Five things we learned from the Mexico City E-Prix
Formula E
Formula E
Mexico City ePrix
Five things we learned from the Mexico City E-Prix
More from
Mahindra Racing
How Mahindra missed out on London win but capped its best Formula E season yet
Formula E
Formula E
London ePrix II
How Mahindra missed out on London win but capped its best Formula E season yet
Mahindra is a Formula E frontrunner again, but will it end its five-year victory drought?
Formula E
Formula E
Jeddah ePrix II
Mahindra is a Formula E frontrunner again, but will it end its five-year victory drought?
Mahindra to begin Gen4 testing in May after delayed board approval
Formula E
Formula E
Jeddah ePrix II
Mahindra to begin Gen4 testing in May after delayed board approval
Latest news
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
2 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
Tristan McKee joins JR Motorsports in 2027 with future plans for full-time ride
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
2 h
Tristan McKee joins JR Motorsports in 2027 with future plans for full-time ride
Colton Herta eyes potential Indy 500 return and IMSA enduros as 2027 plans remain in flux
FIA F2
F2 FIA F2 3 h
Colton Herta eyes potential Indy 500 return and IMSA enduros as 2027 plans remain in flux
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe