Formula E in Madrid: Dan Ticktum fastest in FP1, Nyck de Vries triggers red flag

Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum won the first free practice session in Madrid with a lap time of 1:29.403 minutes. He was followed by Nyck de Vries in second place, who suffered an accident and brought out a red flag, and Sebastien Buemi in third place

The 1st free practice session at the Circuito del Jarama started in damp conditions after it had rained earlier in the afternoon. Most of the drivers set off on time at 16:30 (CET). After the race organisers carried out the obligatory "full-course yellow test", the drivers picked up speed again to get used to the track, which had already hosted the pre-season test in 2024.

de Vries triggers red flag

After around ten minutes of driving, Nico Müller led ahead of Edoardo Mortara and Joel Eriksson, who was in front for a few minutes at the start. On a fast lap, Nyck de Vries drove straight into the wall in the chicane, triggering a red flag. However, the Mahindra driver was able to return to the pits on his own shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, the time continued ticking down. Team-mate Mortara was in first position at the time.

With around 25 minutes still to go, the drivers returned to the track. They continued to feel their way around the drying track. Several drivers promptly improved their times. Dan Ticktum initially took the lead. Behind him was Jake Dennis. But it didn't stay that way for long: Antonio Felix da Costa continued to push the times and was the new leader. Nick Cassidy placed himself between Felix da Costa and Ticktum.

Times are getting faster and faster

15 minutes before the end of the first practice session, there was a lot of action on the race track, which was now completely dry. The drivers completed their qualifying simulations and the times were now noticeably faster. Jean-Eric Vergne led the field with a lap time of 1:29.957 minutes, Mortara and DS-Penske driver Max Günther completed the top three.

Most of the drivers went back into their garages around ten minutes before the end of the session. Ticktum braked once in turn 1 and briefly left the track. After leaving the track, however, he set a fast lap on the tarmac and took the lead with a time of 1:29.403 minutes. Shortly before the end, many drivers were in 350-kW mode and attacked Ticktum's time, but nobody was able to beat it. The top three were completed by de Vries and Sebastien Buemi.

The 1st free practice session ended without any further incidents. The 2nd free practice session will take place tomorrow morning from 8.30am (CET) and can be followed both in our livestream and in the live ticker.