Nissan Components E driver Oliver Rowland will miss this weekend’s Portland E-Prix double-header resulting from an sickness.
The announcement got here on Friday morning in America forward of monitor working, with the Briton’s spot set to be taken by Nissan’s reserve and simulator driver Caio Collet.
A press release from Nissan stated: “Oliver Rowland won’t compete on this weekend’s Portland E-Prix double-header resulting from sickness. The group’s reserve and simulator driver, Caio Collet, will step into automotive #22 as a substitute.
“The entire group needs Oli a fast restoration and to see him again in motion in London subsequent month.”
Rowland’s title aspirations will all however finish together with his absence in America, having loved a robust season after returning to Nissan for the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
The Briton rejoined the Japanese producer after parting methods with Mahindra final time period and halfway via a troublesome season.
This yr Rowland has taken six podiums throughout 12 races, which included a run of 4 rostrums in succession that launched him into the combination of the title battle.
Oliver Rowland, Nissan, Nissan e-4ORCE 04
Photograph by: Andreas Beil
This culminated with solely his second Components E victory in Misano, having completed second on-the-road to Antonio Felix da Costa earlier than the Porsche driver was subsequently disqualified for a technical breach, for which the German manufacturer lost its appeal earlier this week.
Rowland was additionally on the right track to double up within the Misano sequel, however an incorrect lap counter meant he ran out of vitality on the ultimate lap whereas main.
After a double podium in Berlin and two extra factors finishes final outing in Shanghai, Rowland sits fourth within the drivers’ standings heading into this weekend’s occasion, simply 36 factors behind championship chief Nick Cassidy, who may declare the title this weekend with the proper outcomes.
It means Collet will make his Components E race debut this weekend, having beforehand examined with Nissan within the Misano and Berlin rookie take a look at periods.
The Brazilian joined the group at first of the yr and has carried out his duties alongside a marketing campaign in Indy NXT, the feeder collection to IndyCar.
Within the American single-seater championship, Collet sits third within the standings having taken 4 podiums throughout eight races. He additionally beforehand received races in Components 3.