Led by an opportunistic Oliver Rowland, Nissan records a second consecutive podium in São Paulo

To say that the last lap of the São Paulo E-Prix was lively would be an understatement, as the classification was turned upside down in the last few meters of the race on Saturday. If at the front, Sam Bird got the better of Mitch Evans in the penultimate corner to take the victory, we had to wait until they crossed the finish line to know the driver who would accompany them on the podium. And against all odds, this pilot was Oliver Rowland! The Briton placed his Nissan in the Top 3 in the final meters, thanks to an exceptional double overtaking... and a bit of controversy.

WHAT AN OVERTAKE! 😮‍💨@Oliverrowland1 gets past Dennis and Wehrlein in the last corner of the #SaoPauloEPrice, securing the final spot on the podium 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ysHF1BZgS3

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 16, 2024

Returning to 5th place at the start of the last lap, Oliver Rowland remained a spectator of the duel between Pascal Wehrlein and Jake Dennis, before dealing a fatal blow in the last turn: when his two adversaries got in each other's way and went wide, the 31-year-old Englishman got inside the last corner, even going beyond the white lines, to secure 3rd place in the photo finish.

A double podium for Nissan

Stroke of genius or illegal maneuver: everyone will make their own judgment. There Formula E in any case considers the action lawful and has not opened an investigation into the double overtaking of Oliver Rowland... although it has however deleted several lap times for abuse of track limits in this same corner.

“It was a crazy race, with a lot to manage in terms of temperatures. We did a good job on strategy, we stayed patient and I'm really happy to get our second podium of the season, rejoiced Oliver Rowland at the finish. We worked well at the start to reach 7th place, the car felt good and had a lot of speed through the corners. On the last lap, I saw the two drivers ahead fighting very hard, which allowed me to catch up with them, and I rushed into the last corner to take the position on the finish line, which is fantastic for us. »

The Japanese manufacturer confirms its return to form in Formula E, since beyond Oliver Rowland's podium, it was a Nissan power unit which won in Brazil thanks to Sam Bird and McLaren, the first victory of a car powered by Nissan since 2020. A good omen before the Tokyo E-Prix (March 30), where the Japanese team will perform for the first time at home in Formula E.

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