Home
Max Verstappen recently remarked that Formula E's Oliver Rowland would have overshadowed Max if Rowland were to compete in Formula 1. This surprising statement comes from Sacha Fenestraz, Rowland's former team-mate at Nissan in Formula E, who often found himself outperformed by Rowland last season.
Since parting ways with the Japanese manufacturer, Fenestraz has opened up about the challenges of racing alongside someone of Rowland's caliber, who has also caught the attention of Verstappen.
Fenestraz noted that Rowland and Verstappen share a strong friendship, with the Red Bull driver expressing his belief that Rowland, now 32, deserves a spot in F1. "I came into the season saying to myself, ‘I want to be the leader of the team, I want to beat him,’ but I think it was unrealistic because we are talking about Rowland, who was in his seventh season in Formula E," Fenestraz told Motorsport.com.
"For me, it was only my second season. It's a championship that if you look at it, all the drivers at the front are drivers who have been in Formula E for years. They have a lot of experience, and they are also much older drivers," he added.
Fenestraz, who was 24 at the time, acknowledged the experience gap, saying, "I don't have the same experience as a driver like him, and also, Oliver at his best is easily on a par with Verstappen." He emphasized the respect within the motorsport community for Rowland’s potential, mentioning, "Verstappen was telling Oliver that it's a pity he's not in Formula 1 because he'd be overshadowing him."
What is Formula E?
Formula E is an innovative racing series that features fully electric single-seater cars, contrasting sharply with Formula 1, which utilizes hybrid petrol engines. The maximum power output for Formula E cars is around 470 PS, with top speeds reaching approximately 200 mph, while Formula 1 cars can exceed 1,000 PS and achieve speeds over 217 mph.
Drivers like Oliver Rowland and Sacha Fenestraz are notable figures in the Formula E landscape. Rowland has made significant contributions to his team with consistent performances, while Fenestraz has showcased his talent by setting competitive lap times, including a notable performance at the Monaco E-Prix.
The racing formats also differ significantly. Formula E races are typically shorter, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour, and are held on temporary street circuits in urban areas. In contrast, Formula 1 races usually cover over 305 kilometers and take place on permanent racetracks. Additionally, overtaking strategies vary: Formula E employs an Attack Mode, allowing drivers to temporarily boost power, whereas Formula 1 uses the DRS (Drag Reduction System) to enhance speed in specific sections of the track.
Overall, while both series push the boundaries of automotive technology and racing strategy, they cater to different audiences and environmental goals.
