Day three of Formula E testing in Valencia began under damp skies, with the sun fighting to break through. Teams relished the opportunity to sample mixed conditions, especially after the wettest Formula E season in memory.
Mahindra’s Ongoing Dominance
Mahindra’s consistency and authority over the field was evident as the morning unfolded.
Once again, their pairing of Mortara and de Vries held the top two spots early, with de Vries pulling ahead and setting a time in the 1:32 bracket for others to chase.
This familiar one-two mirrored their lead from previous sessions, showing the team’s strong early form at the test.
Emerging Talents and Steady Progress
Zane Maloney, representing Barbados, moved up to third early on before briefly dropping to fourth.
Last season, Maloney ended with no points though the potential is clear after his successes in Formula 2.
Meanwhile, Drugovich, in his first full-time Formula E outing, climbed to the front with Dennis, both breaking into the 1:30s.
The 2022 Formula 2 world champion has shown increased confidence each session, steadily improving upon his previous best efforts.
Track Evolution and Team Strategies
Throughout the morning, drivers rotated in and out for setup swaps, de Vries handed the Mahindra over to Mortara, maximizing seat time and data.
With improving sunshine, lap times tumbled.
Müller took the Porsche to the top with a 1:28.883, followed closely by Evans and rookie Eriksson.
Citroën made their mark as Cassidy held third, trailing a quarter second from the Mahindra lead, his Citroën displaying race-winning pace.
Tight Battles and Quick Recoveries
The running order was tightly contested; as soon as Mahindra lost the top spot, Drugovich would leap ahead, only for de Vries and Mortara to swiftly reclaim it.
The session saw plenty of action and a few off-track moments, notably Buemi’s venture into the gravel at Turn 8, demonstrating the challenges drivers face under changing conditions.
Citroën and Porsche Push Forward
Citroën’s Vergne and Cassidy surged to the top occasionally, proving that the Stellantis powertrain is a genuine contender for the new season.
Günther, another standout, became the first to break the 1:22 barrier after an hour.
Late Session Surges
As the final hour approached, Mortara once again took control with a 1:22.228, flirting with his fastest mark from yesterday.
Müller responded, posting a 1:21.921 for Porsche and briefly outpacing Cassidy at the top.
In the closing 30 minutes, Mortara regained his lead with a 1:21.680, trailed by Porsche teammates Wehrlein and Müller.
De Vries added to Mahindra’s sweep, slotting into second for another commanding display.
The timing board remained static in the final minutes, but Mortara’s score stood unbeaten at the top.
Dennis made a strong final showing, breaking up the Mahindra one-two with third place, while de Vries rounded out the lead trio.
Rookie Highlights and Final Classifications
Among the rookies, Drugovich posted the best time, finishing 11th and a few tenths off the session’s fastest time.
Marti improved in the CUPRA KIRO, ending 16th, while Eriksson showed early promise before settling into 19th for the third day of testing.
Featured Image Credit: Formula E Media Centre