Nissan’s Oliver Rowland set the pace in the opening practice session of the FIA Formula E season at the Anhembi Sambadrome circuit, clocking a lightning-fast 1:10.162. This new benchmark is over three-and-a-half seconds quicker than last year’s pole position, highlighting the significant evolution in Formula E’s performance.
Nissan Dominates with New Four-Wheel Drive Feature
Rowland’s standout lap was complemented by teammate Norman Nato, who secured second place, completing a one-two for the Japanese outfit. Both drivers leveraged Nissan’s new four-wheel drive system, which proved instrumental on the technical São Paulo layout.
“We’re pushing boundaries with the car this season, and today’s results show the potential we have,” Rowland said post-session.
Andretti and Mahindra in Close Pursuit
Jake Dennis of Andretti finished third, continuing his strong form from last season, while Edoardo Mortara of Mahindra Racing slotted into fourth. Both drivers demonstrated consistent pace, positioning their teams as early contenders.
Rookies and Challenges on Track
Rookie Taylor Barnard impressed with a fifth-place finish for NEOM McLaren, showcasing rapid adaptation to Formula E’s unique demands. Meanwhile, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans took sixth, despite his session ending prematurely due to a suspected software issue. Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns followed in seventh.
Tag Heuer Porsche drivers António Félix da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein secured eighth and ninth respectively, with Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy completing the top ten.
Incidents and Early Drama
The session wasn’t without its challenges. Nico Müller of ABT Cupra collided with the wall at Turn 6, damaging his left-rear suspension and ending his run early. His incident highlighted the unforgiving nature of the circuit, as several drivers were seen taking evasive action at the tight Turn 1.
Top 10 Results: FP1 – São Paulo
- Oliver Rowland (Nissan) – 1:10.162
- Norman Nato (Nissan) – +0.112
- Jake Dennis (Andretti) – +0.289
- Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra Racing) – +0.372
- Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren) – +0.467
- Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) – +0.498
- Robin Frijns (Envision Racing) – +0.512
- António Félix da Costa (Tag Heuer Porsche) – +0.580
- Pascal Wehrlein (Tag Heuer Porsche) – +0.624
- Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) – +0.678
What’s Next?
The blistering pace set by Rowland and the dominant Nissan duo underscores the high stakes as teams adapt to new technologies and strategies for the season ahead. With competitive times from Andretti, Mahindra, and NEOM McLaren, fans can expect intense battles in the qualifying and race sessions.
As Formula E pushes the boundaries of innovation, São Paulo’s Sambadrome circuit promises a thrilling season opener, combining technical challenges with raw speed.
