Slightly different conditions compared to FP1, but drivers will not face this challenge in the important sessions. Antonio Felix da Costa leads the way in FP2 for the Jeddah E-Prix, as FE completes the final practice session before the round’s qualifying.
Mexico City E-Prix winner Oliver Rowland was on pace in first practice, leading a Nissan 1-2. Eduardo Mortara followed in an impressive third place, while Dan Ticktum in the Cupra KIRO placed eighth. Before FP1, the rookie free practice session took place. Kush Maini topped the time sheets for Mahindra.
Green light for FP2 in Jeddah
The green light is being displayed at the end of the pit lane exit and drivers started to roll out. Reigning world champion Pascal Wehrlein leads all other drivers onto the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Warming up the tyres is crucial ahead of the first representative lap times. At least two preparation laps are needed.
Lucas Di Grassi reported that he accidentally activated Attack Mode on his second representative lap. He asked how to deactivate it, while continuing on and setting the fastest time for the moment with a 1:17.150. Replays show a lock up, when the Brazilian entered Turn 5.
Yellow flags with 30 minutes to go, as Robin Frijns stopped at Turn 13. He reports that the fail save has been activated when he entered the corner. Frijns can’t move his car away, which ultimately resulted into a red flag. He was then able to get his Envision car back to running and returned to the garage. However, the Dutchman was out of the session.
A few mistakes while track improves
Short break, race control re-starts the session, with 24 minutes to go. Frijns’ team-mate Sebastien Buemi was the only car on track for the moment. The others followed slowly. Buemi went wide at Turn 4, shortly after overtaking another car, which just exited the pits.
Drivers start to go quicker, with Taylor Barnard going quickest, before Maximilian Günther took first place from him, going into mid 1:15’s. McLaren’s Sam Bird was on a quick lap with personal improvement but went deep into Turn 8, cutting the corner through the escape road.
Due to the delay, caused by Frijns, the session has been extended by four minutes, giving the option to the teams to complete their programmes. More quicker lap times incoming, as the track grip improves further. Still no one is getting close to Günther’s lap time.
Red Flag ends the session
15 minutes to go and finally Günther’s lap time has been beaten. Championship leader Antonio Felix Da Costa leads the way, as most drivers entered the pit lane ahead of their final run. Final few tweaks are being made to the cars, as well as some Pit Boost stops.
For the final few minutes, some drivers started to do some race simulations, lapping around five to six seconds slower, compared to the laps before. Other drivers like Jake Dennis, who were a bit down the order, did some more qualifying laps to improve. Dennis nearly hit the wall at the exit of Turn 14, as the understeer first kicked in, and then the rear starting to overtake the front.
Red flag deployed, because of some chaos at Turn 4. Nyck de Vries on a hot lap tried to overtake Stoffel Vandoorne, who just completed his run. De Vries went straight into the barrier of the corner and damaged his front wing.
The session came to a sudden end, as the chequered flag was dropped. Da Costa set the fastest lap time with a 1:15.470, leading Günther by over one tenth. Jake Hughes in the Maserati completes the Top 3.
With FP2 in Jeddah now completed, teams and drivers prepare for qualifying in just over 90 minutes, with the race following in the evening, where FE will hold Round 3 of the calendar.
