De Vries ends first session as reigning world champion in wall

Nyck de Vries did not start the first session as reigning World Champion in Formula E at his best. The Dutchman finished last, after ending up in the wall on his third lap. Oliver Rowland clocked the fastest time.

The first Formula E weekend of this season began on Thursday with the first free practice session in Diriyah. The ePrix of Saudi Arabia consists of three days with a race on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday there was only a first free practice, where the drivers could get used to their car and the circuit again.

Bad day for De Vries

Rowland was the fastest of the day with his new employer Mahindra. He finished ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa and Jake Dennis. DS Techeetah got off to a good start with second place for Da Costa and fourth place for Jean-Eric Vergne.

Reigning World Champion Mercedes were very disappointing. De Vries shot into the wall on lap three, quickly ending his first session of the season. Stoffel Vandoorne too was no further than P14. Robin Frijns finished fifteenth on behalf of Envision Racing. Antonio Giovinazzi didn't exactly turn out to be a speed demon in the FE either, finishing twentieth almost two seconds behind the number one.