FIA Formula E driver Oliver Rowland has received high praise from a former team-mate, who has claimed his talent is “on a par” with that of Max Verstappen.
Sacha Fenestraz, who was recently ousted by Nissan, has said that the reigning World Champion Verstappen complimented his former partner, with whom he is friends.
The Argentinian made the claim in an interview with Motorsport Latam, also saying that he was unaware of how fast Rowland was until the pair became team-mates.
“I came into the season saying to myself ‘I want to be the leader of the team, I want to beat him’,” Fenestraz said.
“But I think it was unrealistic because we are talking about Rowland, who was in his seventh season in Formula E.”
“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, they are also much older drivers.
“And me, at 24 years old [at the time], 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’s very good friends with Verstappen and this year Verstappen was telling Oliver that it’s a pity he’s not in Formula 1 because he’d be overshadowing him, so people inside motorsport know the potential he has.”
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Rowland flirted with Formula 1 earlier in his career, signing to Renault’s young driver programme in 2016, one year after he made his FE debut with Mahindra.
In 2018, he became Williams’ official Junior Driver, joining FE full-time later that year with Nissan e.Dams.
‘Opportunities out there’ for Fenestraz
Fenestraz has also revealed that he has received numerous offers to return to racing in other series, including the Super Formula championship, which Fenestraz has also competed in prior to his stint in FE.
“Fortunately, I have offers, there are opportunities out there,” said Fenestraz.
“The truth is that we have the possibility of returning to Japan with Nissan or Toyota.
“Also, now I received an offer for a double programme with WEC and IMSA, with a LMDH car, with a manufacturer.
“I have a meeting with my manager in London and from there we will say what to do and announce. I think it will be announced between now and November or December for sure, but the decision from my side will be very soon.”
Motorsport Week understands that Fenestraz had held talks with ERT – soon to be renamed Kiro Race Co – but the Chinese outfit appears to have opted to stick with Sergio Sette Camara and Dan Ticktum.
The official announcement of the team’s rebrand, due to be made today, has not yet been forthcoming, with the confirmation expected to now be next week.
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