Oliver Rowland steps in at Mahindra Racing

Oliver Rowland

Formula Renault 3.5 Champion Oliver Rowland has been announced to replace Nick Heidfeld for the third round of the FIA Formula E Championship in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The 23 year old British driver will partner Bruno Senna at the team while Nick Heidfeld recovers from minor hand surgery following an injury sustained during the Putrajaya ePrix.

Nick Heidfeld said: "During the Putrajaya ePrix, I damaged a ligament in my left wrist when the steering wheel snapped out of my hand. On the advice of my doctors, I have undergone an operation to repair it. Unfortunately this means that I will miss the next race in Punta del Este but I wish the team well and hope they return from Uruguay with a Christmas stocking full of points."

Rowland, who set a new record of eight wins in the 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season will join the Mahindra Racing Formula E Team for a simulator session before travelling to Uruguay for the ePrix. He will also take part in the official Formula E test following the Punta del Este ePrix to continue the development of the Mahindra Racing M2Electro racing car.

Oliver Rowland said: "After a successful year, I am excited to have this opportunity to extend my season further and race the M2Electro. Formula E represents many aspects of the future of motorsport and it gained huge traction in the first season. It has one of the most competitive driver line-ups and I am looking forward to some close racing among them and I hope to show what I can do. It will be a steep learning curve to get to grips with the new electric racing technology but I’m sure that once the visor goes down, we will have some fun. I intend to make the most of this opportunity and extract the maximum out of the car. Thank you to Mahindra Racing for the opportunity and I wish Nick Heidfeld a quick recovery."

Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal of Mahindra Racing Formula E Team said: "We are delighted that we have Oliver in the car for the race in Uruguay. It is a huge shame that Nick will miss a race following his surgery and we have sought the very best young talent to continue the strong momentum that Nick has established with the team and the development of the M2Electro. Oliver is a driver of proven, record-breaking skill and has exactly the drive and attitude we appreciate at Mahindra Racing. We wish Nick well and look forward to seeing him back behind the wheel in Buenos Aires."

Mahindra Racing