Lucas di Grassi Sweeps Formula E Practice in Mexico City

By Aaron Bearden, Contributing Writer

Defending Mexico City E-Prix winner Lucas di Grassi swept the practice sessions for the ABB Formula E Championship’s Season Four return.

Di Grassi’s 1:01.203 lap in the middle stages stood as the quickest time in the 30-minute final practice for Saturday’s E-Prix. The Season Three champion is looking to score his first points of the season after four scoreless races. He’ll have to endure a 10-place grid penalty for the race.

Felix Rosenqvist followed in second for Mahindra Racing with a time a 1:01.442. Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans (1:01.506) followed in third, with Mahindra’s Nick Heidfeld (1:01.531) and DS Virgin Racing’s Alex Lynn (1:01.581) completing the top five.

Antonio Felix da Costa (1:05.595), Daniel Abt (1:01.602), Sebastien Buemi (1:01.643), Jose Maria Lopez (1:01.667) and Sam Bird (1:01.797) made up the back half of the top 10.

Practice saw a fair share of attrition despite it’s short length. Jerome d’Ambrosio was the first to endure an issue, stalling briefly on-track just above the racing groove. Lopez was forced to a car change shortly thereafter when he drove one of his two Dragon Racing cars into the outside wall.

It was only a tap… @pechito37 #MexicoCityEPrix pic.twitter.com/b1jF3lN83t

— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 3, 2018

The session was nearly cut short in the end, when Lynn stuffed his No. 36 machine into the outside barrier after having to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a slow car. The track didn’t return to green-flag conditions until the final 1:40 of the session.

. @alexlynnracing hits the barrier towards the end of Practice 2, not ideal as he also has a grid penalty for the #MexicoCityEPrix pic.twitter.com/YZRFlPZevn

— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 3, 2018

The shunt could prove critical for Lynn, who is already enduring a 10-place grid penalty along with Virgin teammate Bird for Saturday’s E-Prix. His team will be forced to repair the car in the short time before the race.

Next up for the Formula E field is qualifying at 1 p.m. ET.

Mexico City E-Prix Free Practice 2 Results