Oliver Rowland continued his dominant form in the first of two back-to-back Monaco e-Prixs, which for the first time, included the new Pit Boost rule, shaking up an exciting race on the streets of Monte-Carlo.
Earlier in the day, Taylor Barnard, who became the youngest ever Formula E driver when he replaced an injured Sam Bird at last season’s Monaco e-Prix, became the youngest driver to put his car on pole after Rowland put his car in the wall in the qualifying final.
The Championship leader would atone for his error later in the day but his victory was anything but simple. The introduction of the ‘Pit Boost’ rule, already applied during the Miami e-Prix, means that drivers must pit in order to have their battery charged. As it does in the Formula 1 race, strategy therefore played its part.
Andretti’s Nico Mueller was the major benefactor on this occasion. After a largely clean start, Rowland retained his lead in the opening laps, however, Mueller, who qualified 14th before suffering a puncture early in the race, stopped under a Full Course Yellow on lap 14, leapfrogging the competition and putting him in the lead of the race.
However, the Swiss driver was not able to retain his advantage. Lacking pace, he was eaten up by the grid, ultimately finishing fifth. Barnard was also sent tumbling down the order. The young Brit had already been overtaken by Rowland prior to the pit boosts, with the latter applying the pressure. Barnard twice cut a chicane to retain his lead, much to the frustration of Rowland, who called for clarity of the rules post-race.
Barnard then sustained damage on lap 24, going into the barrier at the Fairmont hairpin on lap 24. Whilst he kept his McLaren running, he failed to bring home any points for his team.
Rowland still had a fight on his hands. To his confusion, he was only informed by his team to take Attack Mode – which provides a temporary speed advantage but at the expense of going wide in Casino Square – late-on, meaning that he had to make his way up from fifth in the final laps.
Maserati MSG struggle at home e-Prix
He got the winning move done coming out of the tunnel on lap 26 of 30 with former Formula 1 driver Nyck de Vries finishing second, ahead of Jake Dennis. The Brit has now won three out of the first six races this season, becoming the first driver to do so since Sébastien Buemi in the 2016/17 season. He now has 94 points, 34 more than second-placed Pascal Wehrlein.
At their home e-Prix, Maserati MSG Racing had a difficult day, taking just two points thanks to Stoffel Vandoorne’s ninth-place finish.
However, Maserati MSG Racing, like the rest of the grid, will get a second bite of the apple. This year’s Monaco e-Prix is a double-header, meaning that there will be a second race on Sunday. The celebrations, therefore, could not be too extravagant; the podium champagne was more sprayed than consumed.
“If there wasn’t another race, I’d feel quite a lot different and I would have other plans,” joked Rowland. “Your mind immediately switches to tomorrow. It changes the feeling of winning.”
Dennis added, “I think [the celebrations] would be better if there wasn’t a race tomorrow. Ultimately, we have to do the job tomorrow.” A slightly more muted podium, therefore, however, it is a big win for Rowland, who previously finished on the podium in Monaco in 2019.
The win on the streets of Monte-Carlo may have lacked its usual effervescent taste but it is one that puts Rowland firmly in the driving seat in the race for the Formula E title.
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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life