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Formula E

Pascal Wehrlein sets early Formula E testing pace in red-flagged Valencia return

Pascal Wehrlein was the quickest out of the blocks on the opening day of Formula E pre-season testing in Valencia.

Porsche Valencia
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Pascal Wehrlein set the pace on the opening day of Formula E pre-season testing, which returns to Valencia following last year's devastating floods in the region. 

Testing was moved at the last-minute to Madrid a year ago following the horrific weather in the region, with this week's test marking Formula E's first visit since 2023. 

It was 2024 world champion Wehrlein who topped the timesheets in the first of six sessions at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, courtesy of a strong 1m 21.714. 

That lap time in the Porsche 99X Electric was almost three seconds quicker than what was achieved two years ago in the original Gen3, compared to the current Gen3 Evo. 

A brief red flag was required during the afternoon session in dry conditions, due to DS Penske's new signing Taylor Barnard having come to a halt at Turn 12.

However, his car was swifly retrieved and sent back out onto the circuit, with the Briton ending the day in 13th.

Mahindra continued from where it left off last season with a very positive start in Valencia, which saw Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara finish in second and fourth. Andretti's Jake Dennis found himself in a Mahindra sandwich.

As for reigning world champion Oliver Rowland, a late push lap in the closing minutes saw him complete the top five, just over three-tenths adrift of Wehrlein. 

It was a respectable start to life for Citroën, as Jean-Eric Vergne and Nick Cassidy managed to go ninth and 10th fastest, respectively. 

For the two rookies it was a day of learning, particularly for Cupra Kiro's Pepe Marti who had never previously driven a Formula E car. He ended the day in last, 2.7 seconds adrift of Wehrlein. 

As for the other rookie in 2022 Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich, he was narrowly quicker than Marti in 19th.

Check out the full results here!

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