Antonio Felix da Costa set the pace in the first free practice session for the FIA Formula E Mexico City E-Prix, clocking a blistering 1:10.855 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Tag Heuer Porsche driver’s time was a staggering two-and-a-half seconds faster than last year’s pole position mark, underlining the evolution of the GEN3 Evo car and its added all-wheel drive capabilities.
Fast and Furious: Top Contenders Shine
Da Costa’s lap edged out NEOM McLaren’s young phenom Taylor Barnard, who finished just under a tenth behind. Barnard, already the youngest podium finisher in Formula E history after his stellar performance in Brazil, continues to impress in his rookie season.
Nissan’s Oliver Rowland posted a competitive 1:10.977 to secure third, narrowly ahead of Da Costa’s teammate and last year’s pole-sitter, Pascal Wehrlein.
Lucas di Grassi showcased solid one-lap speed for Lola-Yamaha-ABT, securing sixth place, while Norman Nato in the sister Nissan car claimed seventh.
GEN3 Evo Era: Speed and Challenges
The GEN3 Evo cars are proving to be a game-changer, with nearly the entire grid beating Wehrlein’s 2024 benchmark. The addition of all-wheel drive has significantly enhanced lap times despite the tightened first corner of the circuit.
The session wasn’t without its drama. The cloudy conditions and persistent drizzle made for a slippery Peraltada corner, testing the drivers’ skills and nerve. Multiple cars flirted with the barriers, but it was Cupra Kiro’s David Beckmann who fell victim in the final seconds, suffering left-rear suspension damage after a spin into the outer wall.
The Top Ten
The top ten drivers were separated by just six-tenths of a second, highlighting the competitive field. Here’s how they stacked up:
- Antonio Felix da Costa (Tag Heuer Porsche) – 1:10.855
- Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren) – +0.097
- Oliver Rowland (Nissan) – +0.122
- Pascal Wehrlein (Tag Heuer Porsche) – +0.163
- Lucas di Grassi (Lola-Yamaha-ABT) – +0.230
- Norman Nato (Nissan) – +0.301
- Sebastien Buemi (Envision Racing) – +0.345
- Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra Racing) – +0.420
- Stoffel Vandoorne (Maserati) – +0.478
Looking Ahead
With the GEN3 Evo cars proving faster than ever, the Mexico City E-Prix promises a thrilling battle for pole position and the race win. As teams adapt to the challenging conditions and new car dynamics, all eyes will be on Antonio Felix da Costa and the Tag Heuer Porsche squad to see if they can convert their practice dominance into race-day glory.
