Formula E | Berlin E-Prix | FP1 | Wehrlein tops timings and ends session with collision with Da Costa - Motorsport

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Formula E is back in Germany for the Berlin E-Prix, where FP1 just came to an end. Home hero Pascal Wehrlein finished the first session of the weekend on the Tempelhof on the top step, ahead of Eduardo Mortara and Nick Cassidy. Ultimately, the session came to an end with a collision between both Porsche’s.

Green light kicks off FP1

The green light at the end of the pit lane has been displayed, and the drivers started to roll out. There was some rain under two hours before the session start, so the track was slightly damp. DS Penske driver Maximilian Günther expects sub-1 min lap times, let’s see how close the drivers will get in FP1. Unfortunately, the first few laps were build laps, nothing serious after five minutes was done.

Championship leader Rowland started with a first quicker lap of 1:02.276, two tenths ahead of Cassidy. More improvements made, and we got 1 minute lap times and Dennis immediately with a 59.9s lap time. Faster lap times followed, as the drivers seem to find a lot of grip. In fact, Rowland with a 59.254s led the way after 10 minutes into the session.

Vandoorne had issues with the steering and completed only four laps after 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Maserati’s Hughes put in a 58.5s lap time, as a few drivers pitted for slight adjustments. Barnard improved, nearly reaching the 57s lap times.

Halfway through the session

Vandoorne and Müller have been noted for an unsafe release. Consequently, the incident is now under investigation.

20 minute to go, debutant Drugovich jumped up a few places, with a 59.489 into P5. Beckmann in the CUPRA Kiro, trying to finally score points, jumped up into brief P2, just three tenths off Barnard. He was then displaced by teammate Ticktum, who just missed out on the lead by 0.08 seconds. Drugovich improved again, into P4.

Mortara then took the lead, into the 57s lap times, but Wehrlein got ahead by a tenth. Later on Vergne improved to third, just missing out of a 57.s lap. Di Grassi had a slight lock-up into Turn 9 and touched the wall at the exit. He continued on.

At the same time, Maloney is under investigation for a pit boost SOC infraction. In the meantime, Evans was given the black and orange flag for a tyre pressure infraction.

Final moments, as incident between Wehrlein and Da Costa ends the session with a red flag

Going into the final moments of the session, there was a small incident involving Barnard, who was impeded. Meanwhile, Rowland was in the garage for some time before entering for the final laps, but a red lag at Turn 15 caused by an incident between Wehrlein and Da Costa ended the session.

Replays showed that Wehrlein was quite close to Da Costa after getting past. In fact, the German hit his teammate in the rear on the straight, so it’s some work to do for the Porsche mechanics, while their rival teams had a good laugh.

Tune in tomorrow for the first race day of the weekend.