Mahindra statement after X-ray: Oliver Rowland suffers hand injury in Monaco Formula E collision

Oliver Rowland suffered minor hand injuries at the Formula E Monaco E-Prix. The Mahindra driver had crashed into the rear of Edo Mortara in the race on Saturday afternoon and subsequently had to retire. After an X-ray examination in the hospital, his team finally gave the all-clear.

"This afternoon Oliver sustained an injury to his left hand during the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in Monaco," Mahindra explained via Twitter on Saturday evening. "After being checked by the medical team at the track, he was taken to the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco for an X-Ray."

"The results of the X-Ray showed that thankfully there were no broken bones, just bruising and some swelling. Oliver is in good spirits and looks forward to the next round in Jakarta."

The results of the X-Ray showed that thankfully there were no broken bones, just bruising and some swelling.

Oliver is in good spirits and looks forward to the next round in Jakarta. (2/2)

- Mahindra Racing (@MahindraRacing) May 6, 2023

Rowland had stood out in the early stages of the Monaco E-Prix with a storming approach and outstanding overtaking maneuvers. First against Sebastien Buemi in the hairpin, then also against Mitch Evans. From 13th on the grid, he had already moved up to sixth position after two laps.

13th ? 6th in Monaco! ?

What a fantastic opening couple of laps for @oliverrowland1! #MonacoEPrix pic.twitter.com/sX2rJ0ldWj

- ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) May 6, 2023

Injuries pile up after rear-end collisions

A few laps later, Rowland supposedly misjudged his braking point at the end of the tunnel and crashed diagonally into the rear of Edo Mortara's Maserati. In the process, he not only damaged the front wing of his Mahindra and dropped to the back of the field: While the race was still in progress, his team announced that the Briton had injured himself. As it turned out later, fortunately not more serious.

It is not the first time this season that a driver injured his hand. Already at the opening race in Mexico, Robin Frijns broke his hand in a rear-end collision and was subsequently out of action for several weeks. Also, Sebastien Buemi suffered a fracture to his hand at the Sao Paulo E-Prix, but competed in Berlin anyway. Rowland is now the third person to be affected.

On the one hand, this phenomenon is due to the numerous rear-end collisions that the increased slipstream driving brings this season. On the other hand, the steering design of the new Gen3 car is also a factor. However, as Alberto Longo recently explained to 'e-Formula.news', a mechanical adjustment cannot be implemented before the Gen3EVO vehicle upgrade for the season after next.