Buemi on top in first free practice session

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Sebastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) was the fastest man on track in the first free practice session in Punta del Este. Sam Bird (DS Virgin Racing) had been at the top of the timing sheet towards the end of the session; however, after a crash the Brit had to watch from the sidelines how Buemi beat his lap time. Third-fastest of the session was Lucas di Grassi (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport).

The fastest laptime of the session was a time of 1:15.179, about one and a half seconds faster than the lap set by Buemi’s team mate Nicolas Prost in the first free practice session of the previous year.

Buemi was the pace-setter of the early stage of the session ahead of both Audi Sport Abt drivers, before a first red flag halted the session. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Virgin Racing) was forced to stop his car on track due to a battery management problem. The session was restarted ten minutes later, and Buemi remained at the top ahead of Bird and the Abt drivers.

With 20 minutes left to run, a yellow flag interrupted the proceedings as Oliver Turvey (NEXTEV TCR) stopped his car in the pit lane entry. After the restart, di Grassi snatched the second place from Bird and then beat Buemi as well. However, Bird struck back soon afterwards and claimed the top spot for himself. His joy did not last long though: The Brit flew off into the wall after breaking a suspension, and he was forced to watch from the pit lane how Buemi claimed the top spot after a brief red flag period to clear away the destroyed DS Virgin car.

Behind the top three of Buemi, Bird, and di Grassi, Jean-Eric Vergne was fourth-fastest despite his problems at the beginning on the session. Robin Frijns (Amlin Andretti) was sixth fastest ahead of Nicolas Prost, Stephane Sarrazin (Venturi) and the Dragon Racing drivers. Nelson Piquet Jr. (NEXTEV TCR) completes the top ten.

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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