Caio Collet to Make Formula E Debut in Portland Replacing Ill Rowland
(Dakar, June 24th, 2023) – Brazilian driver Caio Collet will make his Formula E debut this weekend in Portland, stepping in to replace the unwell Oliver Rowland at Nissan for the double-header event.
Motorsport.com has learned that Rowland, a two-time Formula E race winner, has been suffering from dizziness and nausea since last weekend and was unable to travel to the United States as planned. Nissan made the late decision to draft in reserve and simulator driver Collet to fill the seat.
“I feel really sorry for Oliver, he’s one of the best drivers that I came across and fighting for the championship, I think this situation is really unfortunate for him,” said the 22-year-old Collet.
Collet, who currently sits third in the Indy NXT championship, was already in the US and was placed on standby earlier this week in case he was needed to substitute for Rowland. With the Briton’s condition not improving, Nissan has now confirmed Collet will make his Formula E debut this weekend.
“I was supposed to test today and I was not supposed to be here,” explained Collet. “And then on Wednesday I had the call that I had to be here because Oliver was feeling quite unwell.”
Despite the late notice and lack of preparation, Collet is hopeful of scoring points on his Formula E bow.
“It’s quite hard to expect anything but just trying to do my best, see if I can pick up some pieces from the race,” he said. “I think the race here will be quite chaotic like we saw similar to Sao Paulo or Shanghai, so just stay out trouble and hopefully pick up some points, but I think will be a hard task.”
Collet has previously tested for Nissan in the Misano and Berlin rookie sessions earlier this year after joining the Japanese manufacturer as a reserve and simulator driver. This weekend’s double-header in Portland will be his first taste of Formula E competition.
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