Da Costa fastest as miracle Formula E test gets underway

Antonio Felix da Costa topped the opening session of Formula E pre-season testing in Madrid, in a feat which many thought would not be possible. 

Testing got underway on-time despite a last-minute change of venue to the Circuito de Jarama, following the deadly flash floods which have led to a significant loss of life in Valencia. 

Nine of the 11 teams took part in the first of six sessions taking place this week, with the exception being Nissan and Jaguar. 

Both teams were forced to sit out the opening three hours of running following a cost cap breach by both teams. Its punishment was missing the session, along with a fine. 

Despite the FE teams having no data on the circuit ahead of the test, not a single stoppage took place. 

McLaren’s new signing Taylor Barnard narrowly topped the timesheets at the end of the first hour on a 1:30.230, ahead of reigning world champion Pascal Wehrlein and ABT Lola’s Lucas di Grassi.

By the two-hour mark, Antonio Felix da Costa had found an entire second on Barnard’s initial pacesetting time, and took the top spot on a 1:29.220. 

Into the final hour, da Costa was closely followed by Maximilian Günther and Nico Müller on the timesheets, both representing their new teams. 

Da Costa’s time would, ultimately, not be beaten, whilst Andretti’s Jake Dennis set the second-quickest time. Günther, Edoardo Mortara and Stoffel Vandoorne completed the top three.

Robin Frijns in last was the only driver not to complete a 350kW lap.

Testing resumes on Wednesday morning at 09:00 local time, which will feature both Jaguar and Nissan.

More to follow…