Following a three-week break since the Monaco E-Prix<\/a>, the Formula E World Championship returns to Southeast Asia this weekend for the 10th and 11th rounds of the 2022-2023 season, as the all-electric series heads to Indonesia.<\/p>\n Two new faces will be on the grid in the Indonesian capital, with Mahindra and Andretti having announced changes to their driver line-up ahead of the weekend. One change in particular is a crucial one, as an experienced member of the paddock has vacated their seat for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n Mahindra announced on Sunday that Oliver Rowland<\/strong> had left following a \u201cmutual agreement”, with the Briton having agreed to vacate his seat for the remaining seven races. Rowland has officially left the Indian manufacturer, which he joined from Nissan for the 2021-2022 season.<\/p>\n The Briton reportedly became frustrated with the outfit\u2019s Gen3 powertrain, due to it struggling to compete amongst the points places this season. Rowland has only finished in the top 10 twice in the nine races this year, with his best result having been sixth at the Hyderabad E-Prix<\/a>.<\/p>\n It marks a sad end to what could be the conclusion of his Formula E career; however, he does at least leave as a race winner. Rowland won in Berlin for Nissan back in 2020, during the COVID-19-affected season. Whilst he\u2019s been a member of the grid fully since Season Five, his debut actually came for Mahindra back in Season Two, at the Punta del Este E-Prix.<\/p>\n Replacing Rowland in Jakarta is ex-Manor Marussia Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi<\/strong>, who recently participated in the Formula E rookie test for Mahindra following the Berlin E-Prix. The Spaniard is experienced in several categories, having raced in everything from Formula 1 to the World Endurance Championship.<\/p>\n Prior to confirmation by Mahindra, the 32-year-old has been competing in the Super GT championship in Japan, where his best result this year is seventh in Fuji. It\u2019s yet to be confirmed whether Merhi will only be used in Jakarta or if he\u2019ll keep Rowland\u2019s seat for the remainder of the campaign.<\/p>\n Regardless of whether he\u2019ll be competing just in Jakarta or in the remainder of Season Nine, the Spanish driver is \u201cincredibly grateful\u201d to Mahindra for giving him the opportunity, saying in their press release<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge honour for me to step in and represent Mahindra Racing for the races in Jakarta. I\u2019m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and I\u2019m determined to make the most of it.”<\/p>\n “I had a chance to drive the M9Electro at the rookie test in Berlin but Formula E is very different to any of the other series I\u2019ve raced in so the learning curve will be steep. But I feel ready, excited and up for the challenge.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Unlike at Mahindra, this weekend\u2019s driver change at Avalanche Andretti Formula E is just for the Jakarta double-header, with Andr\u00e9 Lotterer<\/strong> having commitments to fulfill with Porsche\u2019s LMDh team. Lotterer is unable to compete in Jakarta due to being in Le Mans this weekend for testing ahead of the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans.<\/p>\n Andretti was aware that Lotterer was going to miss this weekend\u2019s doubleheader; however, they\u2019ve lined-up Porsche reserve driver David Beckmann<\/strong> to take his place.<\/p>\n The ex-Formula 2 driver recently tested for the Porsche Formula E \u00a0Team in the rookie test, with the German being the side\u2019s official reserve driver.<\/p>\n Valuable lessons learned: @D_BeckmannF2<\/a> and @Yifei_YE<\/a> successfully finished their two @FIAFormulaE<\/a> #RookieTest<\/a> sessions in our #Porsche99XElectric<\/a> cars in Berlin today.<\/p>\n More details to come shortly. #MakeItMatter<\/a> #PorscheFormulaE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dEgAj8ezsV<\/a><\/p>\n — TAG Heuer Porsche FE Team (@PorscheFormulaE) April 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMahindra Racing: OUT \u2013 Oliver Rowland \/ IN \u2013 Roberto Merhi<\/h3>\n
Merhi’s Journey to Formula E<\/h4>\n
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Avalanche Andretti: OUT \u2013 Andr\u00e9 Lotterer \/ IN \u2013 David Beckmann<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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