FE | FP2 | Miami E-Prix | Barnard leads final practice session - Motorsport

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Formula E has returned to Miami for a second time in its history, but on the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Conditions are slightly different to FP1, as the teams prepare with FP2 for the final FE practice session of the Miami E-Prix.

Jaguar looked strong in the first practice, with Nick Cassidy leading the way. Porsche’s António Félix da Costa finished P2, while McLaren’s youngster Taylor Barnard claimed third. Championship leader Oliver Rowland had his small struggles but the Nissan driver can’t be ruled out of competition this weekend.

Green light for FP2 of the Miami E-Prix

The green light is being displayed at the end of the pit lane exit and all drivers started to roll out. Cassidy led the way out of the pit lane and installation laps have started. It’s early in the morning, so the track conditions will not be the same as in qualifying and in the race later. There is a difference of 19 degrees Celsius compared to FP1!

Zane Maloney set the first lap time of a 1:33.439, as drivers started to do push-cool-push stints. Faster lap times came in quickly and Maloney’s time was no longer on top. Cassidy pushed on and set the first representative time with a 1:26.714 but he had a small mistake in it, touching the grass area at Turn 1. Andretti’s Jake Dennis then took over the lead.

Wehrlein in the Porsche and then Barnard in the McLaren go into the lead. The Briton used the 350kw power and set a strong lap of a 1:23.907. It’s only two tenth off Cassidy’s time in FP1. In the meantime, Stoffel Vandoorne of Maserati has been noted for not following race directors instructions.

Improvement in lap times and a red flag

In FP1, track limits were a problem. Same goes to FP2 again, as a few drivers went over the white line at Turn 12. Drivers entered the pit lane again to do some changes to the car’s setup. Envision’s Robin Frijns was already on a race simulation.

Sam Bird up to second, three tenths off his teammate Barnard, after he abandoned his first flying lap. Also just 0.002 seconds shy of David Beckmann of KIRO, who slots in on P3. Barnard improved his lap time by five tenths, now challenging for pole in qualifying later. Mahindra’s Eduardo Mortara slotted in second place shortly after.

Big moment from Nico Müller, causing an immediate red flag. He left a lot of debris behind himself after missing the corner at Turn 10 and impacting into the concrete wall. The front wing and the front right suspension damaged but he limped back to the garage. Andretti struggled to get the front right tyre off Müller’s car but eventually did so. His session was over, as repairs were ongoing.

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Final 15 minutes of the session

Back to green flag, Cassidy was slightly wide on his push lap and was fighting the car throughout. He improved nonetheless. Two minutes have been added to the time due to the red flag period. Rowland complained about the brakes on the team radio, struggling like in the first practice. He sat in fourth position. Teammate Norman Nato improved to second place.

Final few minutes, and Da Costa improved to second place, still two tenths off Barnards strong lap. Dennis also improved, up to third. It’s Jaguar’s Mitch Evan’s then, who took over third place, under three tenths off the leading McLaren. Then it was Nyck de Vries of Mahindra taking the third spot. Yellow flag at the end, as Jean-Eric Vergne spun at Turn 8.

FP2 has come to an end for the Miami E-Prix and teams completed final preparations for qualifying in less than 90 minutes. Later, the race for Round 5 of this year’s FE season will take place.