Monday
04
September 2017

Disappointing weekend for Rowland in Monza

It was Japanese driver Nobuharu Matsushita who secured pole in qualifying at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Oliver Rowland was unable to capture Matsushita and was forced to settle for 13th spot with a laptime of 1:31.711.

Oliver Rowland:

“It was difficult in qualifying. I didn't have a good feeling and didn't really do a good lap. But we knew we could still have fought back in the main race.”

Feature race 

Italian driver Luca Ghiotto prevailed in a disordered Formula 2 feature race at Monza, as Oliver Rowland was forced to retire when a wheel came off of his car. Eventually meaning the Briton succumbing to 18th place. 

Spanish driver Roberto Merhi and Rowland were determined to move quickly through the field as the pair encountered a fierce battle. 

Rowland was gritty trying to get amongst the points and in due course dispatched Mehri and looking extremely strong, driving himself into a podium spot also overtaking Matsushita who started the race in pole position.

Unfortunately for Rowland, upon leaving the pits the 25-year-olds left rear came loose at the second chicane forcing him into an early retirement as the safety car was issued with just 4 laps remaining.

Sprint race 

It was Luca Ghiotto won an exhilarating sprint race at Monza. 

Ghiotto had won the feature race on Saturday before being downgraded to fourth position with a post-race penalty, but left nothing to chance in the sprint. 

Oliver Rowland made his way up to 11th from 19th on the grid.

The DAMS driver made worthy progress early on in the race, being aggressive towards Charles Leclerc before eventually dipping back down the order. 

The drive from Rowland meant he could only rise to 11th position, just ahead of Nyck de Vries but unfortunately not amongst the points. 

After a an intense weekend of racing Charles Leclerc still leads the way on 218 points, with Oliver Rowland sitting on 159 points, allowing Artem Markelov to make some ground on the Brit, pushing up by 2, to 152 points. 

Oliver Rowland:

“It was a really disappointing weekend all round for me. I will remain positive though and go again next month in Spain.”