Pascal Wehrlein topped the times in the first practice session at the Berlin E-Prix, despite crashing to the second Porsche of Antonio Felix Da Costa in the closing seconds.
At the green light, the Jaguar of Nick Cassidy led the field onto the circuit as the first session of the Berlin E-Prix got underway.
The field jostled for position, with Pascal Wehrlein battling Rowland before a full-course yellow test commenced.
Checks complete, the first laps demonstrated the lack of grip, the Berlin Templehof Circuit having been soaked by rain showers early in the morning.
Once the first laps were complete, it was Oliver Rowland who took his customary position at the top of the timesheets. Nearest title challenger Pascal Wehrlein languished down in 13th, Porsche yet to show their hand.
The McLarens seemed to be struggling for pace immediately. Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird propped up the times, but Barnard was to move into 14th. However, he was still a long way from the front of the field.
Several drivers were replacing those with other commitments. Sérgio Sette Câmara in the second Nissan, replacing Norman Nato, had a brief spell at the top of the times with thirty minutes to go.
Felipe Drugovich, replacing Nyck de Vries at Mahindra, by contrast, seemed to struggle. He struggled to move up the times, stuck in 20th.
Rowland jumped back into P1 with just over 25 minutes remaining, in a clear statement of intent towards the title.
Drivers took the opportunity to practice a Pit Boost stop, the Porsche of Pascal Wehrlein attempting to factor into his title challenge at the Berlin E-Prix.
The circuit pace ramps up in Berlin E-Prix practice
With rain forecasted for the rest of the weekend, drivers opted to push for pace immediately. The lap times started to tumble, with Jake Hughes moving into 1st with 20 minutes to go. The Maserati was over seven tenths ahead of Rowland’s Nissan.
Barnard was next to stake his claim to the top spot. Setting two purple sectors, his lap usurped Hughes by 0.487s.
Drugovich found some pace, moving into 7th, ahead of teammate Edo Mortara as he settled into his cockpit for the weekend.
A lull descended over the track, as the majority of drivers opted to pit for a few quick changes before the next runs.
Dan Ticktum, winner last time out in Jakarta, demonstrated track evolution by moving to within a tenth of Barnard’s time. Team-mate David Beckmann three tenths behind, slotted into third.
Cassidy’s Jaguar failed to take advantage of the conditions; his latest effort was only good enough for sixth. Drugovich began to underline his credentials, moving into fourth.
Jake Dennis gave Andretti hope for the weekend, his latest lap good enough for third. Lucas Di Grassi gave Lola similar aspirations as he found himself fifth. Team-mate Zane Maloney moving up to seventh.
The top runners show their hand
But Porsche and Pascal Wehrlein opted to show their hand with less than 15 minutes remaining of first practice at the Berlin E-Prix, jumping to first, from Mortara’s Mahindra.
Rowland’s Nissan re-emerged onto the track with ten minutes remaining. His first lap of his next run was only good enough for 15th. The Nissan squirmed in the corners, indicating a lack of grip. The champion elect’s next lap moved him two within two-tenths of Wehrlein, the Porsche now third.
With five minutes remaining, drivers pushed to find more pace. Ticktum improved to fourth, the two McLarens held each other up on their latest effort. Mortara jumped to second, with Cassidy giving Jaguar a boost in third.
Antonio Felix Da Costa then brought the session to an early end, bringing out the red flag. The Porsche driver collided with the barrier after team-mate Wehrlein careered into the rear of fellow Porsche driver. Wehrlein was handed a three place grid penalty for qualifying on Saturday by the stewards, denting his hopes of keeping the title fight alive.
Session Classification
- Pascal Wehrlein
- Edo Mortara
- Nick Cassidy
- Oliver Rowland
- Dan Ticktum
- Jean Eric Vergne
- Taylor Barnard
- Jake Dennis
- Maximilian Günther
- Zane Maloney
- David Beckmann
- Sam Bird
- Nico Mueller
- Lucas Di Grassi
- Sérgio Sette Câmara
- Felipe Drugovich
- Jake Hughes
- Antonio Felix Da Costa
- Sebastien Buemi
- Mitch Evans
- Stoffel Vandoorne
- Robin Frijns
