Following Formula E’s longest ever break between races – a 158 days – the Envision Virgin Racing duo of Sam Bird and Robin Frijns headed out for two practice sessions this morning, ahead of the first of six races at the Berlin Tempelhof circuit.
The first of three double headers will see both drivers take on the circuit in reverse – the first time this has happened on a track from an international racing championship.
Both drivers collected valuable data for the team during FP1, however, the session ran short as it ended under red flag, with Jaguar’s James Calado stopping on track with technical issues. The session ended with Bird in second behind fellow Briton Oliver Rowland and Frijns in ninth – with few drivers able to complete full power runs due to the reduced running.
All cars headed out on-track as soon as the lights turned green for the morning’s second practice session.
Frijns spun early in the session, but suffered no damage to the car, and stayed out on track for the remainder of his stint. Lap times began to tumble as drivers set their practice qualifying laps and Bird rounded out the session in P7 (1:07.382s), whilst Frijns – who was continuing to make set-up changes to the car – finished in P21 (1:07.993s).
Qualifying will take place at 14:15 local time (13:15 UK time) and will see Sam Bird head out in Group 2 whilst Robin Frijns will be in Group 3.