The second day of the Shanghai E-Prix double-header commenced with FP2. Following a practice session plagued by battery issues for drivers like Nyck De Vries, Sérgio Sette Câmara, and António Félix Da Costa, competitors were eager to return to the track and set times.
FP2 is underway! 🟢#ShanghaiEPrix pic.twitter.com/zewrdFCjE6
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 25, 2024
Mitch Evans’ time was the one to beat
Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans set the time to beat with a 1:13.215s during the FP1 session. Despite a red flag interruption yesterday, drivers had a full period today to improve their times. Jaguar began the morning strong, with Evans leading in the first ten minutes and teammate Nick Cassidy just two-tenths behind.
Nissan’s Oliver Rowland faced challenges, including an oversteer-induced slide at turn 7. Meanwhile, Sebastian Buemi ascended the timesheets, setting the first 1:13 of the session and surpassing Evans by 0.326s. Buemi, familiar with this track from his Formula 1 days, aimed for a better outcome this time.
The Andretti team faced scrutiny as both Norman Nato and Jake Dennis received warnings for driving unnecessarily slowly, reminiscent of issues seen yesterday when drivers slowed down to create space through the final corners.
Image Credit: Formula E | Simon Galloway
Sacha Fenestraz, open about his confidence struggles this season, temporarily led the session.
Norman Nato encountered difficulties in the final sector, clipping the kerb and going wide on the grass at the tight chicane. However, he managed to set a competitive time of 1:13.430s, pushing back Pascal Wehrlein and De Vries.
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Nato and Vergne set identical times
In an impressive feat, Jean-Éric Vergne matched Nato’s time exactly. Vergne, the last Formula E race winner in China from Season 5 in Sanya, demonstrated his adaptability to new environments.
Chequered flag is out 🏁
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 25, 2024
Nato and Vergne hold the top two spots at the end of FP2 with their identical lap time!#ShanghaiEPrix pic.twitter.com/AJkBmXmV9e
As the session concluded, drivers maximised their power for final flying laps. Stoffel Vandoorne was the only notable improver, climbing from fifth to fourth. Robin Frijns finished eighth, with a 0.185s gap to the lead, despite a brief off-track excursion at the final corner.
Nato and Vergne’s identical times in FP2 saw Nato take the lead time by virtue of setting it first. Although Nato’s time was slower than Evans’ best from yesterday, the Andretti driver showed strong form. Notably absent from the top was the Jaguar duo, with Cassidy reporting handling issues and finishing ninth, while Evans ended in twelfth.
After such a close battle, will Nato and Vergne finish the qualifying session on top?