Video | Formula E: Mortara fastest during FP1, Buemi hard into the wall

While the focus of many racing fans is on the Formula 1 test days, Formula E drivers are gearing up for the ePrix of South Africa. In Cape Town, the first free practice has already been run on Friday. Maserati's Edoardo Mortara was the fastest with a time of 1.09.700. It was the first time this season that Maserati - seen beforehand as the ultimate title favourite - had finished a session first.

Jaguar's Sam Bird finished second on Friday afternoon, 0.158 seconds behind Mortara. However, the absolute surprise of the day was Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan) He finished third.

Buemi in the wall

For Sebastian Buemi, it was a day to quickly forget. Just minutes after the start of practice, the Envision Racing driver hit the wall hard on the street circuit. In the process, the right side of his car was badly damaged. Envision has a lot of work to do to make Buemi's car driveable again.

Red flag! @Sebastien_Buemi is out of FP1 after a heavy crash.

Thankfully, he's out of the car and is okay.#CapeTownEPrix

— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) February 24, 2023

After the necessary break to clean up all the debris, it was home driver Kelvin van der Linde - replacing the injured Robin Frijns - who had to stop his ABT Cupdra on the track due to engine problems. It meant another red flag. After it was withdrawn, there were still five minutes to go. In it, Lucas di Grassi of Mahindra Racing parked his car at the chicane after suspension problems. Jake Dennis, the number two in the championship, also had a bad day. He too had technical woes.

Free practice results

@edomortara goes fastest in FP1!

Who do you think will qualify on Pole tomorrow for the #CapeTownEPrix? pic.twitter.com/5jwfUgfpcY

— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) February 24, 2023

Qualifying for the ePrix is Saturday at 11:40 CET / 10:40 GMT. The race starts at 16:00 CET / 15:00 GMT.