That early momentum allowed him to construct a robust lead within the standings which, regardless of failing to return to the rostrum over the next seven rounds, was sufficient to clinch the drivers’ championship through the Berlin double-header in July, forward of the season finale in London.
“It’s going to be a problem. After all, it’s going to be tough,” Rowland informed Motorsport.com forward of the occasion in Brazil.
Oliver Rowland, Nissan Method E Group, Norman Nato, Nissan Method E Group
Picture by: Alex Bierens de Haan / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Method E is coming into its fourth season with the Gen3 automobile earlier than the Gen4 arrives subsequent 12 months. With groups and drivers now holding deep data of the present bundle, Rowland expects the fiercest competitors the sequence has seen.
“I believe we’re in all probability coming into essentially the most aggressive period of Method E by way of depth and power throughout all of the drivers. So it’s going to be a problem, however I’m prepared for it.”
Rowland confronted a stark distinction in outcomes through the second half of the season, however the Briton insists issues weren’t as dangerous as they might have appeared.
“I believe it was a little bit of each,” he stated when requested whether or not his late-season dip got here from a drop in efficiency or the stress of main the championship with such a giant margin.
“Clearly, I used to be coping with having a giant lead and making an attempt to carry on to it. For positive, I wasn’t at 100% and generally I used to be making an attempt to consolidate.”
“I believe lots of people say we didn’t have a fantastic finish to the 12 months, however in Jakarta I completed fifth or sixth. In Shanghai I used to be combating for the win within the dry race. In Berlin I certified third and fifth and gained the championship there.”
“Solely London, I believe, was disappointing for us. We simply weren’t quick sufficient in London. However yeah, it was additionally a wierd emotion – successful the championship after which going again for the ultimate race. However I believe we must be OK. I’m fairly assured.”
Managing the warmth in São Paulo
Oliver Rowland, Nissan Method E Group
Picture by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Looking forward to this weekend, Rowland highlighted key elements for the São Paulo E-Prix, particularly battery administration amid the anticipated excessive temperatures on the Anhembi Sambadrome avenue circuit.
“There are all the time belongings you need to enhance, however I believe we’ve made a superb step since final 12 months. I believe preseason testing in Valencia was actually constructive for us – there have been a whole lot of good issues. However yeah, I believe we’re prepared, though it could actually all the time be difficult right here.”
“I’m making an attempt to maintain my ft on the bottom and simply do every little thing at a superb stage as a result of right here now we have a whole lot of temperature points with the tyres and the battery. In order a driver you must be very properly ready. We had 5 months off, so we’re going to be a bit rusty,” he concluded.
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