Envision Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird topped the timesheets during today’s second practice session for the Mexico City E-Prix.
Following last night’s storm in Mexico City, the morning’s opening session began with a damp track for the first time in the event’s history. Envision Virgin Racing sent both their drivers out when the session turned green to ensure they could gather as much data as possible on the modified 2.606km, 16-turn circuit ahead of this afternoon’s race.
With changes to the track, and some areas having been resurfaced, traction was an issue for all drivers, especially in turn three where the tarmac had begun to breakdown. Conditions proved difficult throughout the session but the track began to evolve and lap times began to drop.
With just 12 minutes left on the clock Daniel Abt had an incident that caused him to take a precautionary visit to the hospital, this meant that a red flag ended the session.
As neither driver had completed full power laps, FP2 was critical for Envision Virgin Racing ahead of qualifying.
The duo headed out early, along with most the pack, to ensure that they utilised the entire session after a shorted FP1. The second session of the morning was incident-free with both drivers able to complete a qualifying (250kW) lap at the end of the session.
Finishing in P1 Bird, 33, was able to put in the fastest lap of the morning (1:07.672) with team-mate and Dutchman Robin Frijns just behind in sixth (1:08.148).
Next up, it’s qualifying with Bird out in Group one whilst Frijns will be heading out in Group three.