Mediabank Formule E

General

Jaguar lead Formula E FP1 in Sao Paulo, De Vries still far behind

Jaguar lead Formula E FP1 in Sao Paulo, De Vries still far behind

16 March - 00:05

Ludo van Denderen

Jaguar, as expected, look like the team to beat at the Sao Paulo ePrix in Brazil. During the first free practice session on the street circuit, the British team's two cars were by far the fastest. Mitch Evans finished first, ahead of teammate and championship leader Nick Cassidy. New Zealander Evans was as much as half a second ahead of the number three.

Behind both Jaguars, the driver who set the third time was a very surprising one. Edoardo Mortara drove a fine first free practice, in which he even drove himself from fifth to third in the very last seconds. That is unexpected, as the Swiss is timing for Mahindra this season. That team from India had made little to no impression in the three opening races. Mahindra is still pointless.

The team has been working hard on updates in recent weeks though, and perhaps Mortara's performance was a first indication that the right path has been taken. Teammate Nyck de Vries was a lot less happy after the session. The ex-F1 driver was nineteenth, six tenths behind his teammate Mortara. The second free practice, qualifying as well as the races take place on Saturday.

New world title announced in Formula E

Formula E announced in Sao Paulo that there is a third trophy to be earned this season. Not only will the best driver and the best team eventually be crowned world champion, but the best manufacturer will also be able to call themselves world champion for the first time. For this world title, the points of the factory and customer teams are added together. For this championship, Jaguar are the big favourites, which have a customer team, Envision Racing.