Nissan e.dams driver Oliver Rowland took the team’s maiden victory today in round five of the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge, in what has been described as the best race in the esports series so far.

Rowland showed strong pace from the outset, qualifying third on the Berlin circuit, having had just one day’s practice along with the rest of the grid on the newly created virtual Tempelhof Airport track.

The Brit got away cleanly at the start, key to sim racing success, and immediately settled into an exciting battle with the lead group of three drivers. On lap 7, from third position, Rowland made an inch-perfect move into a hairpin bend to overtake two cars at once and claim the lead. He maintained the lead to the finish, fending off constant pressure from behind.

The stylish overtake and team’s first virtual win pay tribute to “Go Nissan Day,” celebrated each year on May 23. In Japanese the date 5/23 is pronounced Go (5), Ni (2), San (3).

Sebastien Buemi qualified 11th and crossed the finish line in 12th.

The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge raises funds for UNICEF’s global coronavirus appeal, helping keep children safe, healthy, and learning in the face of the pandemic.

Oliver Rowland: “Finally, I get to wear the winner’s cap! I’ve been putting quite a lot of effort into my sim racing practice recently, so it’s nice to get a good result today. I was disappointed after the last race in Hong Kong, and today there was big pressure from the driver behind, but it was a good race. I really enjoyed it, as nerve wracking as it was – and all for such a good cause too.”

Sebastien Buemi: “I finished 12th and qualified 11th, and this is my best qualifying so far. So, I am getting better each time, and I am looking forward to next week as I think I could be in the mid-pack of racers, or even better.”