Oliver Rowland and Nissan were unaware of the unfortunate fate awaiting them in the second Misano E-Prix race. A simple software error led Rowland on a disastrous path towards energy depletion, leaving him with no chance of securing a second consecutive victory. Despite taking the lead from Pascal Wehrlein with six laps remaining, Rowland’s final lap slowdown revealed that his team was oblivious to the impending energy crisis they were facing.
Nissan team principal Tommaso Volpe expressed frustration over the mistake, acknowledging that a small procedure at the beginning of the race was overlooked due to time constraints. This oversight compromised their entire strategy and ultimately led to their downfall.
The grid issue, which Volpe referred to, was later confirmed as a parameter error in the software that required manual resetting. This setback affected their usual operations and contributed to the problems they encountered towards the end of the race.
Rowland himself had concerns about thermal limitations in the latter stages of the race. He believed that Pascal couldn’t use his energy due to the risk of overheating the battery. However, this assumption turned out to be incorrect, leading to a false reading and a devastating outcome for Rowland and his team.
As Rowland questioned his team about what had happened, their response was filled with uncertainty. They were unable to explain the sudden energy depletion, leaving Rowland in a state of shock and disappointment.
Meanwhile, Porsche capitalized on the situation, staying focused and maintaining their composure. Wehrlein, with the guidance of his new engineer, successfully defended his position and became the first driver to secure two wins in the 2024 season.
Wehrlein admitted that he was initially unsure if Rowland’s energy would indeed run out, but his team’s information proved to be correct. In the end, Wehrlein’s decision to conserve energy paid off, securing him the victory.
Porsche Formula E boss Florian Modlinger expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting that they had no temperature issues with their energy storage system. Despite their surprise at the sudden change in energy levels, they managed the race effectively, ultimately leading to a well-deserved win for Wehrlein.
Overall, it was a disappointing outcome for Rowland and Nissan, as a simple software error cost them a potential victory. However, Wehrlein and Porsche emerged victorious, showcasing their strategic prowess and ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.