Beckmann sets the pace as Porsche tops simulation race

Kiro Formula E driver set the fastest lap as Porsche took a 1-2 later in the day

David Beckmann set the fastest time on the third day of Formula E pre-season testing as reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein showcased Porsche’s strength of force by leading a 1-2 in the simulation race.

Wehrlein became the first driver to lap the Jarama Circuit just outside Madrid below the 1m28s barrier in the morning session on Thursday but was eventually pipped to the top spot by 0.008s.

Kiro’s Beckmann posted a 1m27.755s in the final hour to go fastest while also setting the quickest time of the test so far, with just Friday’s morning session remaining ahead of an all-female test in the afternoon.

The German, who is Porsche’s Formula E test and development driver, has yet to make his debut in the all-electric championship and has not been confirmed with Kiro for the upcoming season.

The second Porsche of Antonio Felix da Costa finished the morning session third, just 0.058s behind Beckmann’s time as three Porsche-powered cars occupied the top three spots.

The Portuguese driver followed Wehrlein home in the 24-lap simulation race which was held at the start of the afternoon’s session and was the first chance for teams to see the new Gen3 Evo in close-quarters action.

Reigning teams’ champions Jaguar occupied the front row, the grid determined by a random draw, and Mitch Evans led for the opening segment of proceedings after a delayed start.

Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing

Photo by: Malcolm Griffiths / Motorsport Images

This was due to Zane Maloney, who will make his Formula E debut this season, being unable to launch off the line in his Lola/Yamaha-powered Abt, and the driver from Barbados completed no laps.

Evans held the lead until lap nine before da Costa moved to the front, with DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne taking the lead on the following lap.

The Frenchman’s new team-mate Maximilian Guenther moved into first at the halfway point, as 11 drivers made a mandatory pitstop to receive a pit boost charge.

The concept, whereby drivers receive a 10% battery charge at 600kW which is achieved in approximately 30 seconds, has been under development for more than two years.

The simulation was the first time teams were able to run the procedure during a race, with a decision set to be made by the FIA and championship on whether it will be implemented at points this season.

With all drivers completing the mandatory stop by lap 15, Vergne resumed in the lead but just three laps later, and after a planned safety car test, Wehrlein hit the front and began to pull away.

Team-mate da Costa moved into second at Turn 3 on the penultimate lap at the expense of Nick Cassidy to get Porsche’s season off to a winning start.

António Félix da Costa, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team

Photo by: Andreas Beil

Cassidy finished third ahead of Andretti’s Jake Dennis and team-mate Evans, with Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries completing the top six.

Normal running resumed for the remainder of the afternoon, as Mahindra finished on top with de Vries posting a 1m28.010s which left him 0.451 clear of team-mate Edoardo Mortara in third, with Evans between the pair.

Formula E Race Test Result

1 - 2
Cla	Driver	#	Laps	Time	Interval	km/h	Points	Retirement
1	P. Wehrlein Porsche Team	1	24	43'00.092
2	A. Felix da Costa Porsche Team	13	24	+0.372 43'00.464	0.372
3	N. Cassidy Jaguar Racing	37	24	+1.028 43'01.120	0.656
4	J. Dennis Andretti Formula E	27	24	+1.446 43'01.538	0.418
5	M. Evans Jaguar Racing	9	24	+3.201 43'03.293	1.755
6	N. de Vries Mahindra Racing	21	24	+4.902 43'04.994	1.701
7	S. Vandoorne Maserati Racing	2	24	+6.893 43'06.985	1.991
8	E. Mortara Mahindra Racing	48	24	+9.505 43'09.597	2.612
9	J. Hughes Maserati Racing	55	24	+9.800 43'09.892	0.295
10	R. Frijns Envision Racing	4	24	+11.494 43'11.586	1.694
11	D. Ticktum Kiro Race Co	33	24	+11.785 43'11.877	0.291
12	D. Beckmann Kiro Race Co	3	24	+12.300 43'12.392	0.515
13	N. Mueller Andretti Formula E	51	24	+12.874 43'12.966	0.574
14	M. Gunther DS Penske	7	24	+17.312 43'17.404	4.438
dnf	S. Buemi Envision Racing	16	24	+8.529 43'08.621				Retirement
dnf	L. di Grassi LOLA YAMAHA ABT FORMULA E TEAM	11	24	+44.125 43'44.217	35.596			Retirement
dnf	J. Vergne DS Penske	25	22	+2 Laps 39'59.427	2 Laps			Retirement
dnf	S. Bird McLaren	8	20	+4 Laps 36'54.953	2 Laps			Retirement
dnf	T. Barnard McLaren	5	20	+4 Laps 36'57.764	2.811			Retirement
dnf	O. Rowland Nissan e.Dams	23	19	+5 Laps 35'12.025	1 Lap			Retirement
dnf	N. Nato Nissan e.Dams	17	18	+6 Laps 32'09.206	1 Lap			Retirement
dns	Z. Maloney LOLA YAMAHA ABT FORMULA E TEAM	22	0
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