Rowland replaces Albon at Nissan for Valencia FE test

Oliver Rowland is running in the final day of pre-season Formula E testing for Nissan in place of Alexander Albon, as links of a Toro Rosso Formula 1 switch intensify.

The Williams F1 young driver is driving the Nissan e.dams IM01 car that Albon was scheduled to get behind the wheel of at Valencia this week, following his promotion to Formula E after being a title contender in Formula 2.

Albon was in the Formula E paddock on Tuesday ahead of the first day of running but left Valencia amid speculation that he has emerged as a leading candidate for the sole-remaining Toro Rosso F1 seat alongside Daniil Kvyat for 2019.

His absence left teammate Sebastien Buemi to complete all of the Nissan’s on-track running across the first two days of testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Nissan has since moved to place Rowland - who was spotted in the Valencia paddock on Wednesday - in the team’s second car for the final day of testing ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Rowland has previous Formula E experience, with the 26-year-old Briton standing in for the injured Nick Heidfeld as he finished 13th on his debut with Mahindra at the Punta del Este season two round.

Nissan has already lost valuable running during two of the three test days, which represents the final time teams can test before the season five opener in Saudi Arabia on December 15.

The final day at Valencia has been affected by wet weather, further disrupting Nissan’s planned programme.