Sam Bird set the pace in FP2 of Formula E Hyderabad EPrix ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne and Nick Cassidy as Porsche returned to action.
After the delay in FP1 due to issues around the circuit, the FP2 session on Saturday of Formula E Hyderabad EPrix weekend started on time with all the Porsche-powered cars out in action too. The #94 crew managed to rebuild Pascal Wehrlein’s car too.
The issue he faced was kept under wraps as they just sent in the memo of having rectified the problem they had. The FP2 session had warnings of slippery conditions at Turn 3 but it was cleared soon, while there were some investigations into technical infractions.
Mahindra’s Lucas di Grassi, Nisaan’s Sacha Fenestraz and ABT’s Kelvin van der Linde were the ones. Meanwhile, on track, it was much smoother for all with few hiccups of off moments. There were time improvements throughout the session.
The semi-home team Jaguar’s Sam Bird set the pace in FP2 with a 1m13.631s lap as DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne slotted in second from Envision’s Nick Cassidy. Maserati’s Edoardo Mortara was fourth without going for the kW Attack.
Nissan’s Fenestraz was fifth from McLaren’s Rene Rast with Porsche’s Wehrlein slotting in seventh from home team Mahindra’s di Grassi as Envision’s Sebastien Buemi was ninth and NIO’s Dan Ticktum in the Top 10 – where the Swiss racer only did 10 minutes of the session. Maserati’s Maximilian Guenther was just outside the Top 10 in 11th.
McLaren’s Jake Hughes – another without the kW lap – was 12th from Andretti’s Jake Dennis, with DS Stoffel Vandoorne in 14th, NIO’s Camara 15th, Nissan’s Norman Nato 16th, ABT’s Nico Mueller 17th, Jaguar’s Mitch Evans 18th, Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa 19th, Andretti’s Andre Lotterer 20th – without the kW lap – Mahindra’s Oliver Rowland 21st and ABT’s van der Linde 22nd.
A very fruitful #FP2 session for @JaguarRacing's @sambirdofficial, who tops the time sheets with a 1:13.631.
As always, @FIAFormulaE is about ultra fine margins. Top 10 cars are separated by just over 0.5s. #ABBFormulaE #HyderabadEPrix pic.twitter.com/FmRRRt5BxX
— Peter Leung (@BaronVonClutch) February 11, 2023