Andretti’s Norman Nato was able to top the timesheets for the first free practice session, a promising start for the team at their home race in Portland. The Frenchman, who managed his first piece of silverware this season in Shanghai last time out, set a benchmark of 1m09.079s which couldn't be beaten over the session.
Just behind Nato was championship contender Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing, with his teammate Nick Cassidy in third. Cassidy currently leads the Drivers’ World Championship with four rounds remaining, and could mathematically seal the deal in front of the US crowds on Sunday.
Joining them in the top five was TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa in fourth and Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries in fifth.
As it happened…
The grid made their way onto the track at 17:00 local time around the Portland International Raceway, making the most of the practice session ahead of the busy double-header weekend. Early doors both Envision Racing drivers, Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns were top of the timesheets, with the Jaguar powertrains looking strong here.
Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz had a close call with a barrier 10 minutes into the session. The French-Argentine, whose normal teammate Oliver Rowland is absent this weekend, bumped over the kerbing and briefly brought out the yellow flags as he familarised himself with the track.
With under half the session left, it was Andretti’s Norman Nato quickest. Fresh from his first podium of Season 10 in Shanghai, the Frenchman will be wanting to impress the team at their home race this weekend. He’s also someone out of contract next year, and with big boss Michael Andretti present over the next few days in Portland, it’s a good time to be quick and consistent.
Caio Collect was able to keep things clean, as he is set to make his Formula E debut this weekend as he replaces an unwell Oliver Rowland. The championship contender wasn’t able to travel from the UK, meaning that the team’s Reserve and Simulator driver Collet was given the temporary promotion in Portland. Collet finished the session in 19th with Fenestraz in 21st.
ERT’s Sergio Sette Camara also took a rather unusual route around the 12-turn venue, as he ended up going through a different section of the Portland International Raceway before emerging by the circuit's drag strip and returning to the race track.