Oliver Rowland will remain with Nissan in Formula E for the next season, ending weeks of speculation that he might defect to a rival outfit. The reigning champion had attracted significant interest from at least two teams, but after emergency talks with Nissan team principal Tommaso Volpe, an agreement for continuity has been reached.
Rowland signed a long-term deal with Nissan earlier this year and was expected to see out the Gen4 era with the Japanese manufacturer. However, approaches from Penske and Envision are believed to have briefly turned his head, prompting urgent discussions earlier this month. Neither party would comment when approached by The Race in London last week, but sources indicate that the relationship has been mended and Rowland will now lead Nissan’s Gen4 testing programme next month, alongside development driver Sam Bird.
The news brings a measure of stability to a team that has endured an inconsistent campaign. Rowland, who won the 2025 title, managed a victory at Monaco and four other podium finishes but was unable to mount a sturdy defence of his crown. That inconsistency is understood to have left him unsettled for a while, and the rival offers gave him pause. But the talks with Volpe appear to have ironed out the discord, allowing both parties to move forward with renewed focus.
Rowland’s commitment is a significant boost for Nissan as they prepare for the next chapter of Formula E’s Gen4 regulations. The team will now turn its attention to filling the second race seat, with Norman Nato having said his goodbyes at the London finale. Nato, who struggled in 2025, is set to concentrate on endurance racing, and his departure had been anticipated for some time.
Nissan’s search for Nato’s replacement has narrowed to two candidates: Victor Martins and Zane Maloney. Martins was initially considered the favourite after a Gen4 test in May at Navarra, but Maloney has emerged as the clear front-runner in recent days. Despite a torrid second season with Lola Yamaha ABT, Maloney out-qualified his teammate Lucas di Grassi across the season, and much of his struggles were attributed to poor reliability and team errors rather than his own performance.
Development driver Sam Bird is not believed to be in contention for a return to a race seat. The team is expected to make a final decision by the end of August.
The retention of Rowland is a statement of intent from Nissan, who will be hoping to build on their championship success and challenge for more titles in the Gen4 era. With a settled driver line-up and a clear development path, the team can now focus on the technical challenges ahead.
For Rowland, the decision to stay represents a vote of confidence in the project he has been part of since his return to the team. Having tasted championship glory, he will be eager to prove that his title was not a one-off and that he can consistently fight at the front.
The Formula E paddock will watch closely as Nissan finalises its line-up and prepares for the next generation of cars. With Rowland on board, the team has a proven winner who can lead them into the future.
