After the news that Oliver Rowland will miss the 2024 Hankook Portland E-Prix for Rounds 13 and 14 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, one driver is making the step up to replace him and make his debut.
Caio Collet was announced as the Nissan Reserve and Simulator driver ahead of the 2023/24 season, and has now been given the chance to pilot the #22 car subject to administrative checks this weekend.
NEWS: Rowland to miss Portland double-header with illness
He has also been behind the wheel on several occasions, representing the Nissan team in Misano and Berlin for respective rookie tests. However, this weekend he is making a big step up and experiencing the whole weekend.
“I feel really sorry for Ollie, and wish him a speedy recovery,” Collet said on his Friday track walk. “He was fighting for the championship and he was one of the best drivers I have ever come across. But, opportunities like this don’t come very often and you need to be ready.”
Despite being the simulator driver for the Nissan squad, Collet hasn’t been able to drive this Portland circuit on the team’s set up after he had a clash in commitments. It’s going to be a big ask for the Brazilian, but he feels ready for the challenge.
“I think if you look at the bright points, the race will come with a lot of opportunities,” he added. “It’s a different kind of racing and similar to Shanghai and São Paulo. It's a new track and a new challenge coming onto a race weekend like that, especially at the end of the championship but together with the team we are doing a good job preparing.”
Collet started his single-seater career back in 2017 when he raced in the Formula 4 UAE Championship. During that campaign, he picked up a win and six podiums. The following year, he moved to French Formula 4 and totalled up an amazing seven wins. He also served time in Formula Renault Eurocup and then went to FIA Formula 3, where he earned himself three wins and 11 podiums across three years in the championship.
TICKETS: Secure tickets for the Hankook Portland E-Prix Rounds 13 & 14
He is also currently the top rookie in Indy NXT, placed third in the standings with four podiums to his name.
With four rounds of the season left, and plenty of driver contracts still to be signed, this opportunity comes at a good time to showcase his talents for a full-time Formula E seat next season.
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream Formula E's 2024 Hankook Portland E-Prix
The 2024 Hankook Portland E-Prix gets underway on Friday 28 June with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time.
Then it's straight into the first race day of the double-header on Saturday 29 June as Free Practice 2 kicks off the day at 07:30 local, followed by qualifying at 09:40 local with lights out on Round 4 at 14:00 local/21:00 UTC.
For Round 14, the same schedule applies: Free Practice starts at 07:30 on Sunday 30 June, followed by qualifying at 09:40 local time and the race at 14:00 local/21:00 UTC.
All race sessions will be shown live on Roku in the USA. Highlights will be shown on CBS Sports Network.
View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.