The best F2 drivers that never reached F1 (Part 2 – Oliver Rowland)

• 2017: 3^rd

After his 2015 and 2016 GP2 seasons, Oliver Rowland arrived to its successor with DAMS at 24 years of age. In his only Formula 2 season, he achieved third place in the championship thanks to two victories, in a year where PREMA’s Charles Leclerc dominated.

2017 was also his only season as a Renault F1 development driver after spending 2016 as a “young driver” of the French constructor. The Brit had nevertheless already experienced the top class before, as demonstrated by his Red Bull and McLaren tests. The latter team also adopted him as part of their young drivers’ programme from 2007 to 2010. His role as Williams’ “official Junior Driver” in 2018, however, was his last year linked to Formula 1.

The Barnsley-born driver was never seriously considered a candidate for a seat in the top class. The Grove-based outfit preferred Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin, and Rowland was only ever thought of as a veteran that spent too much time in junior categories. Since his departure from feeders, the Formula Renault 3.5 champion has raced in the World Endurance Championship with CEFC and has been associated with Formula E since 2015-16. Rowland has competed in the latter category every year since then (except 2016-17) and finally reached his goal this season by conquering the 2024-25 title.