Rowland 'easily on a par' with Verstappen says former teammate
10/11/2024 04:34 AM
Ex-Formula E racer Sacha Fenestraz says his former Nissan teammate in the all-electric series, Oliver Rowland, is so talented that he "is easily on a par" with three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
In a recent interview with Motorsport Latam, Fenestraz explained how his perspective on his teammate evolved during their time together in Formula E.
The French-Argentine racer admitted that he had initially underestimated Rowland's ability, but soon realized just how fast and skilled he was once they were teammates at Nissan in 2023.
"I came into the season saying to myself, 'I want to be the leader of the team, I want to beat him,'" Fenestraz shared.
"But I think it was unrealistic because we are talking about Rowland, who was in his seventh season in Formula E.
Fenestraz acknowledged the vast difference in experience between Rowland and himself.
He pointed out that many of the top Formula E drivers have spent years in the championship, gaining knowledge and maturity that makes them formidable competitors.
"It's a championship that if you look at it, all the drivers at the front are drivers who have been in Formula E for years, they have a lot of experience, they are also much older drivers," he added.
"And me, at 24 years old [at the time], I don't have the same experience as a driver like him."
Fenestraz didn't stop there, going on to make an eye-catching comparison between Rowland and Verstappen, claiming that the former is just as talented as the latter, a view apparently echoed by the Red Bull driver.
Sacha Fenestraz and Oliver Rowland (©Instagram).
"Oliver at his best is easily on a par with Verstappen," he said.
"He's very good friends with Verstappen, and this year Verstappen was telling Oliver that it's a pity he's not in Formula 1 because he'd be overshadowing him.
"So people inside motorsport know the potential he has."
Rowland's career has indeed brushed close to Formula 1. He was part of Renault's young driver programme in 2016 and later became Williams' official Junior Driver in 2018.
However, his journey ultimately led him to a full-time seat in Formula E with Nissan e.Dams, where he has become one of the series' standout drivers, winning two races in the series with the Japanese manufacturer.
Fenestraz, who recently left Nissan after being ousted from his seat, also touched on his own future in motorsport, revealing that he has received several offers to race in other categories in 2025.
"Fortunately, I have offers, there are opportunities out there," Fenestraz said. "The truth is that we have the possibility of returning to Japan with Nissan or Toyota.
"Also, now I received an offer for a double programme with WEC and IMSA, with a LMDH car, with a manufacturer."
Fenestraz is currently weighing his options and is expected to make a decision soon, with an announcement likely before the end of the year.
"I have a meeting with my manager in London and from there we will say what to do and announce," he said.
"I think it will be announced between now and November or December for sure, but the decision from my side will be very soon."
As for Rowland, the 32-year-old will be racing once again in Formula E with Nissan, albeit with Frenchman Norman Nato as his new teammate.
But Fenestraz's remarks have reignited discussions about the British driver's untapped potential and what could have been if his career had taken a different path—perhaps even alongside Verstappen in Formula 1.
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