Nissan Formula E Team turned heads with a stellar performance at the Mexico City E-Prix, delivering a dramatic victory through Oliver Rowland’s masterful drive.
Nissan Formula E Team’s Triumph, Porsche’s Setback in Mexico
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. For Oliver Rowland, the universe balanced the scales in his favour.
After narrowly missing out on victory in São Paulo last season due to an untimely Safety Car deployment, Rowland found redemption in Mexico City. The British driver claimed a dramatic win during the closing laps of a race that Porsche had controlled for most of its duration.
Nissan made to capitalize on their strong qualifying session. Although TAG Porsche didn’t secure victory, they reinforced their reputation as the team to beat in 2025. Despite their misstep, they remain the top contenders to be leading both Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles.
Nissan, however, seized the moment. Their solid qualifying session paved the way for a strong race performance. Rowland felt some frustration after a mistake during his outlap forced him to withdraw from the semifinals. It ended his chance to duel reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein.
“I fully believed I could beat him,” Rowland said post-race. His misstep didn’t dampen the confidence he had in Nissan’s car. Rowland was determined to rewrite the story of this E-Prix and stop Porsche from claiming a third consecutive win.
WHAT A RACE 😰@oliverrowland1 clinches @NISMO‘s first WIN in Mexico 🇲🇽@Hankook_Sport #MexicoCityEPrix pic.twitter.com/YmcMknzad9
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 11, 2025
Attack Mode as a Game-Changer
The 2025 Formula E season opener showcased the true power of the Attack Mode. More impactful than ever, it provided a decisive tool for drivers aiming to climb the grid.
Rowland used it brilliantly, helped by a touch of luck. A Safety Car, caused by Maloney’s crash and an incident involving Kiro’s Cupra David Beckmann, allowed him to turn the race in his favour.
“I think my strategy at that point would have been to get to these guys and then consolidate a podium. So when I got the chance to go for it I just went for it.” – Oliver Rowland.
Rowland charged into the top three by Turn 1 of Lap 2. Midway through the race, a bold last-corner move helped him gain another position. By holding back his Attack Mode until later than his competitors, he gained an advantage during the Safety Car restart.
With an incredible push, he jumped from fourth to first in under a minute, securing a remarkable victory in Mexico.
READ MORE: Jaguar’s Bitter Weekend in Mexico
Consistent Effort from Nato
On the other side of the Nissan garage, it was a challenging weekend for Norman Nato.
The Monegasque driver couldn’t progress to the duels during qualifying, leaving him to settle for a frustrating 18th position on the starting grid. Nato did not hide his disappointment with the tough start to his weekend.
Despite the setback, he managed to turn things around in the race. Battling hard in the tightly packed midfield, he delivered a clean and consistent performance. By the end of the race, Nato had climbed five positions, finishing in 13th place.
Although not a standout weekend, his determined effort helped contribute to Nissan’s overall positive momentum as they head into the next rounds.
A Promising Start for Nissan
Rowland’s victory and Nato’s effort lifted Nissan to second in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Rowland also climbed to second in the Drivers’ Standings, marking a strong start to the season.
The next challenge is around the corner. Formula E makes its debut in Jeddah with a double-header scheduled for February 13–15.
This event promises more intense action as teams and drivers fight for crucial points in the early stages of the championship.
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