The path to becoming Formula E world champion

Enough time has now passed since becoming Formula E world champion in Berlin that I’ve been able to fully process everything that we have accomplished since I rejoined Nissan two years ago.

I wasn’t in a good place when I left Mahindra halfway through Season 9 (in 2023); I remember not sleeping, feeling worried about what life was going to bring and was wondering if I’d driven a race car for the last time.

But some things are meant to be, and I managed to come back to a place I knew from my early years in Formula E. Nissan has given me all the tools to succeed and I’ve been supported really well. 

From finishing seventh in the teams’ championship in Season 9, to this year winning the drivers’ championship and taking the teams’ and constructors’ fight down to the final weekend, the journey we’ve been on has been incredible.

Crossing the finish line in Berlin was a huge release of emotions; I couldn’t hold myself together hearing my daughter’s voice on the in-lap. It’s something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

The big lead I managed to build up after Tokyo in May ultimately didn’t change how I approached the races, but it definitely plays on your mind. You know that you’ve done a great job up until then, but it somehow adds pressure because you could throw it all away and not finish the job off.

Sealing the title in Berlin set off an unforgettable release of emotions for Rowland

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

But I just kept reminding myself of the need to focus each week, stay aggressive and try to maximise every opportunity. 

If I’m being critical, towards the end of the season my races weren’t probably as competitive as they should have been. There was probably an element of trying to be safe sometimes. I’m still annoyed about how the season ended in London with contact that broke my suspension, but in the grand scheme of things the championship is won over 16 races.

We were consistent throughout the season and performed at our best when we were capable of winning. And that’s what counts.

There are so many incremental things that we’ve worked on that all add up to make the difference

I felt like I adjusted to Formula E quickly. I had great speed when I arrived for Season 5 (2018-19), although I probably never really had a car capable of fighting for championships. The biggest thing that changed for this year was my mentality.

I understood I wasn’t always able to win every weekend, so I focused on setting realistic goals that were not going to leave me frustrated if I didn’t achieve them. That allowed me to be a lot freer in my mind. 

I also had the experience of several years to understand what Formula E is about, and being involved in development testing to get the car exactly to my liking really played its part. There are so many incremental things that we’ve worked on that all add up to make the difference.

Being involved in the development of the car to get it exactly to his liking has been a significant element in Rowland’s success

Photo by: Andreas Beil

On the car side, it was small tweaks from the previous year. For example, our differential wasn’t behaving very well, so really analysing the small details to improve the areas of weaknesses was very important. 

Nissan told me when I signed that its efficiency wasn’t good enough, and we knew Season 10 (2024) would be a building year. Clearly the efficiency has improved, which helps me a lot in the races.

Then minor details in terms of mechanical set-up, diff and tyre optimisation for the new Hankook compound meant we could be operating in the right window and start this season strong.

We’ve got a lot of tough competitors in Jaguar and Porsche, so I’m proud of what we achieved. Hopefully this is just the start. My main ambition now is to cement myself as the most successful driver in Formula E.

With my commitments as a mentor to Arvid Lindblad, who I want to see in Formula 1 soon, I’d be doing myself a disservice to spread myself too thinly by looking at other series. I want to give him the best support I can, alongside winning more Formula E world championships.

I’ve already got an eye on next year and naturally I want to try to double up. Bring on Sao Paulo in December!

This article is one of many in the monthly Autosport magazine. For more premium content, take a look at the September 2025 issue and subscribe today.

Now with this season’s drivers’ championship under his belt, Rowland wants to become Formula E’s most successful driver

Photo by: Andreas Beil