‘I Ruined Everything’ – How Oliver Rowland Turned a Career Meltdown into a World Title in Just 2 Years

Oliver Rowland secured the most dominant Formula E title in history in Berlin earlier this month and now he prepares to end the season with a home race in London

Oliver Rowland is Britain's second Formula E world champion
Oliver Rowland is Britain’s second Formula E world champion(Image: LAT Images for Formula E)

Oliver Rowland was having sleepless nights when he thought he committed career suicide just two years ago. But over this weekend he gets a world championship victory procession on home soil, as he steps out at Formula E’s season finale London E-Prix.

The lad from Barnsley, 32, secured the most dominant title win in FE history in Berlin earlier this month to become only Britain’s second all-electric world champ – and it came just two years after he quit the series altogether.

Unhappy and underperforming at Mahindra, Rowland made the brave decision to focus on his own wellbeing and ripped up his contract.

But after months of doubts over what he had done, Nissan – the team he drove for when he joined the series full-time in 2018 – offered an olive branch that he knew he had to take.

Rowland said: “The journey I have been on in the last two years is nothing short of crazy. It’s almost two years to the day since I was sat without a job, sleeping no more than three hours a night because I was so frightened at what I had done and of the situation I had put myself in.

Rowland and his team celebrate the Formula E title win
Rowland and his team celebrate the Formula E title win(Image: LAT Images for Formula E)

“From a mental health perspective, I was in a pretty bad place, so to be in this position now, I feel pretty fortunate. I am trying to balance out the emotions because it’s highs, lows, coming back home, having a normal life again. It’s not a normal thing to navigate.

“I think by taking that risk and that punt in my career long term made me realise that I need to make sure that every small detail is done correctly on my side. I needed to really make the most of this opportunity because the reality was if it didn’t work, it was the last one.

“I’m quite a doubting guy. I’m always arriving at a race thinking I’m not going to be good enough, so I’m going to have to work really hard if I want to make the most of this opportunity.”

One of Rowland’s secret to successes has been his mentorship of Red Bull F1 wonderkid Arvid Lindblad. Rowland has guided the British-Swedish star since he was just seven.

Arvid Lindblad has been mentored by Oliver Rowland
Arvid Lindblad has been mentored by Oliver Rowland(Image: Getty)

Now a 17-year-old, he drove in FP1 at the recent British Grand Prix and as Lindblad continued to soar, Rowland knew he had to get his act into gear.

“This year is the perfect balance,” Rowland said. “I’m performing, he’s performing, we’re driving each other.

“When you set such a high level and you see somebody else you’re working so closely with, also setting a high level in a completely different area, you motivate each other, you build that trust between each other.

“If I’m advising him on to do this or to do that, but I’m finishing 20th every week, there’s less trust there.”

Related Posts

Kym Marsh suffers another tragic family loss as she shares heartbreaking tribute

Actress Kym Marsh has revealed her family has suffered another devastating death as she paid an emotional tribute on her social media following the loss of her…

David Beckham makes big gesture on social media towards son Brooklyn amid rift

David Beckham showed his support for his eldest son Brooklyn Beckham on social media this week following rumours of a rift between some of the family in…

Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan claims she is ‘not making any money’ despite show

Harriet Cowan became a hit with Clarkson’s Farm viewers when she stepped in to help Jeremy Clarkson while Kaleb Cooper went away as she revealed the harsh…

Danniella Westbrook confesses her biggest regret as she looks back on her troubled past

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook says she doesn’t have any career regrets, but drugs will “always” be her biggest regret, as she’s opened up about her past…

Alex Jones fights tears as her rarely-seen husband appears on The One Show

Alex Jones was brought to tears during tonight’s episode of The One Show as her rarely-seen husband Charlie made a surprise appearance as she celebrated 15 years…

Coronation Street fans beg for soap tribute to late Frank Grimes after sudden death

Coronation Street viewers have called for the ITV soap to pay tribute to Barry Connor actor Frank Grimes following his death after a short illness aged 78…