Nissan’s Rowland strengthens Formula E title lead with Monaco victory
Oliver Rowland tightened his grip on the Formula E championship with a commanding win in the Monaco E-Prix Round 6. The Nissan driver held off Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries and Andretti’s Jake Dennis in a tactical battle through Monte Carlo’s iconic streets.
Rowland pulled away in the closing laps to secure victory with a 2.5-second advantage after navigating a chaotic race filled with strategic ATTACK MODE usage, PIT BOOST timing decisions, and multiple full course yellows.
NEOM McLaren rookie Taylor Barnard led from the start but faced constant pressure from both Rowland and a determined de Vries.
Dan Ticktum received an early penalty after cutting the chicane while battling with de Vries, dropping him behind TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein.
The race’s first major incident occurred on Lap 9 when Antonio Felix da Costa crashed into Edoardo Mortara at Anthony Nogues corner, bringing out a full course yellow. After racing resumed, Rowland began applying pressure and overtook Barnard at the harbourfront chicane on Lap 13.
Strategy became the focus mid-race. Nick Cassidy attempted to gain track position by taking an early PIT BOOST, while technical problems forced Jaguar’s Mitch Evans to retire, triggering another caution period.
Rowland temporarily lost his lead when competitors activated ATTACK MODE to surge ahead. Andretti’s Nico Mueller appeared well-positioned after pitting early and conserving energy for a late push.
By Lap 22, energy management became crucial, with Rowland clearly having more reserves than Mueller and Cassidy ahead of him.
With just five laps remaining, de Vries claimed the lead, creating a chain reaction that saw Mueller fall behind Dennis and then Rowland, who still had one ATTACK MODE remaining.
Rowland executed a perfectly timed move through Monaco’s famous tunnel on Lap 27 to reclaim first place. Behind him, the Andretti drivers worked together to protect their positions, with Mueller blocking to help Dennis despite his teammate receiving a penalty for speeding under yellow flag conditions.
Mahindra’s Mortara recovered from his earlier incident to claim fourth at the finish line, just behind Dennis and de Vries. Mueller took fifth while Wehrlein secured sixth.
Final classification – Top 10
- Oliver Rowland – Nissan
- Nyck de Vries – Mahindra Racing
- Jake Dennis – Andretti (subject to penalty)
- Edoardo Mortara – Mahindra Racing
- Nico Mueller – Andretti
- Pascal Wehrlein – TAG Heuer Porsche
- Dan Ticktum – CUPRA KIRO
- Nick Cassidy – Jaguar TCS Racing
- Robin Frijns – Envision Racing
- Sacha Fenestraz – Nissan
