Credit: Formula E Media Bank / LAT Images
The first session of the three days weekend started with a lot of dirt on the track, since it’s been unused since the last E-Prix in 2022.
Five minutes in the session and after everyone put in a timed lap, the top spot is held by NIO’s Dan Ticktum with a 1:07.402. The English driver is one to watch out for this weekend, according to Oliver Askew, with the former Avalanche Andretti driver believing that he has the ability and pace to have an impressive Berlin round (or two).
His time was then improved by Gunther and 2023 E-Prix winners Jean-Eric Vergne and Mitch Evans. The Jaguar driver was the first one to set a time in the 1:06s, but his lead didn’t last very long, as he was replaced shortly after by the Frenchman.
Former Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi revealed earlier today that he had broken his hand in a crash during the last race in São Paulo, however he is taking part in today’s session. The Swiss driver is even managing to push up to provisional P2, behind Ticktum who has returned in P1.
Maserati’s Edoardo Mortara hit the wall at Turn 4 and ran wide due toa technical problem, issuing a brief yellow flag with 20 minutes to go in the session. Even championship leader Pascal Wehrlein shown a brief brake struggle on the still dirty track surface, testament to the harsh combination of difficult track conditions and new tyre supplier combo.
At the half session mark Andre Lotterer is on top, but he is replaced once again by Buemi. Both drivers have found podiums on the German track in their previous outings, is this a sign that they will be fighting again here for the top spots?
Robin Frijns spun at Turn 9. The ABT driver is still adapting to the new Gen3 cars after missing out on many rounds at the beginning of the championship due to breaking his wrist in the inaugural Mexican E-Prix, returning to compete only in the last Sao Paulo round.
With ten minutes to go Jake Dennis is in the lead, the first driver to get in the 1:05s and quicker than last year’s pole lap. The Avalanche Andretti driver had had a strong start in January, scoring a win and two podiums in the first three rounds, but has failed to score ever since due to racing incidents and a retirement in the last Brazilian round. Could the double races in Berlin be the occasion he has been waiting for to try and return in the championship fight?
At the end of the session the reigning world champion Stoffel Vandoorne is in the lead with a 1:05.803. The Belgian driver has had his best result in 2023 in the last round with a P6, but he will definitely be fighting to achieve his first podium with his new team DS-PENSKE.
He is followed by Dennis and both Maserati drivers, former Berlin E-Prix winner Maxi Gunther and Mortara, who had returned to the pits after his technical issue and signed his best timed lap in the final minutes of the session.
