Formula E: Felix da Costa sets best time in 1st free practice in Berlin, Wehrlein with technical defect

Antonio Felix da Costa won the first free practice session at the Berlin E-Prix. The Porsche Formula E driver lapped the newly designed Tempelhof circuit in 1:02.289 minutes, relegating Sergio Sette Camara and Stoffel Vandoorne to second place. Pascal Wehrlein in the second Porsche suffered a technical defect in his car, which interrupted the session.

First, there was the obligatory full-course yellow exercise, during which race director Scot Elkins tested communication with the drivers and all systems. After four minutes into the session, red flags were waved: Pascal Wehrlein had parked his car on the track. As the red warning light on the car was illuminated, it was declared unsafe and recovered under strict safety regulations. The practice session was therefore over for Wehrlein.

While the @PorscheFormulaE of @PWehrlein got towed to the paddock, mechanics of the team run to the quaratine area where cars that are in unsafe condition are being unloaded.#BerlinEPrix #FormulaE #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/hJ1gVhFy6b

- Tobias Wirtz (@tobiw_apex) May 10, 2024

After around twelve minutes, the session was reopened and race control announced an eleven-minute extension to the session. The first good time was set by Antonio Felix da Costa, who stayed just above the 1:04-minute mark.

However, the track got faster by every minute. After ten minutes, Max Günther led ahead of Mitch Evans, Nick Cassidy and Joel Eriksson, with Cassidy shortly afterwards becoming the first driver to stay under the 1:03-minute mark.

Felix da Costa fastest

Just before the halfway point of the session, world champion Jake Dennis took the lead. At this point, the first 19 drivers were within less than a second of each other. The lap times continued to tumble: Stoffel Vandoorne set a lap time of 1:02:477 minutes, putting him ahead of Jehan Daruvala and Jean-Eric Vergne.

In the final minutes, some drivers tried again to improve their lap time with 350 kW. However, there was a tricky moment shortly before the end: Mitch Evans ran into Kelvin van der Linde before the triple left-hander and had to swerve into the run-off area.

That's quite a wide line there, @mitchevans_! ?

The @JaguarRacing driver has to take evasive action to avoid contact with an @abtmotorsport.@SUNMINIMEAL #BerlinEPrix pic.twitter.com/dMmOz5AI0R

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 10, 2024

Antonio Felix da Costa set the fastest time of the session ahead of Sergio Sette Camara and Stoffel Vandoorne. Max Günther and Jehan Daruvala completed the top five. The second free practice session will take place on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Results & times

Overall standings (drivers & teams)