Formula E | Miami E-Prix | FP0 | O'Sullivan rockets to P1 - Motorsport

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The first practice session of the weekend got underway as the rookie drivers headed onto the Miami International Autodrome. While Formula E has raced in Miami before, this marks the first time on this circuit.

The Rookie Free Practice session provided young drivers with a taste of the GEN3 Evo cars before the Miami E-Prix. As all 10 teams were required to field a rookie driver, 11 drivers were set to participate. Nissan opted to field two rookie drivers for the session, while the remaining nine teams fielded only one. Pepe Martí was the only full-time Formula E driver who participated in the session, hoping to gain more experience.

Green flags and early benchmarks

Giustie led the pack onto the track as the 40-minute session began. The field was quick to get out on track for their first build laps. The first lap was set by Giusti with a 1:11.84, quickly followed by Chambers. Five minutes into the session, the pack had not yet set representative lap times.

Theo Pourchaire set the early benchmark with a lap time of 58.81 seconds. However, the Citroën driver was quickly knocked down by Gabriele Mini, who went 0.014 faster.

The top spot kept changing as the rookies began their flying laps. CUPRA KIRO’s Pepe Martí stormed to the top with a 57.503, then went even quicker with a 56.133, 1.3 seconds faster than anyone else. As the Spaniard is a full-time Formula E driver, the session provided valuable data to help the team prepare for the Miami E-Prix.

Half a session to go

As 20 minutes had passed and the session reached the halfway point, Martí remained the rookie to beat. Giusti pushed forward and was within 0.145 seconds of the Spaniard. Behind him came reigning DTM Champion, Güven, forming the top three.

Pourchaire looked quick; however, after a moment over the kerb, he lost some lap time and placed fifth. The Frenchman was quick to correct his mistake on the next lap as he rocketed to P1, knocking down Martí with a lap time of 55.903. The Citroën driver was fastest in all three sectors, taking the top spot and setting a new benchmark.

Lola driver Hugh Barter looked to struggle with the kurb heading into the corners as he found himself towards the end of the timing sheets. Meanwhile, Abbi Pulling had a spin out of Turn 11 after going high over the kurb. She was quick to brake and go again, but was unable to fix her time after flat spotting her tyres.

Last laps of the Miami-Prix rookie session

As the Rookie Free Practice session came closer to a conclusion, the top three were Pourchaire, Martí, and Nikita Bedrin. Pourchaire’s time of 55.903 was yet to be beat with six minutes left of the session.

Martí was set to take another flying lap and went purple in the first sector; however, he appeared to abort it before crossing the finish line. Meanwhile, Zak O’Sullivan stormed to take the top spot, only 0.093 seconds quicker than Pourchaire.

The final few seconds of the session saw the field gunning for first. O’Sullivan remained unbeatable in the Envision and stayed on top with a 55.810. Behind him came Pourchaire, followed by Mini with a lap time of 55.92.