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Maini quickest for Mahindra in Jeddah Rookie Free Practice

REPORT 13 Feb 2025 3 Mins

Kush Maini impressed for Mahindra in the special FP0 session just for rookies at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

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Mahindra Racing’s Kush Maini topped the Jeddah Rookie Free Practice, with the Indian racer looking comfortable behind the wheel. Behind him was Gabriele Minì for Nissan, with CUPRA KIRO’s Mikkel Jensen third despite not having driven a single-seater race since 2016.

The 40 minute session began at 18:00 local time, as the sun was setting over the Corniche. Jamie Chadwick put the first time on the board, with the three-time W Series champ getting her second experience of the GEN3 Evo machinery in a few months after taking part in the Jarama Women’s Test.

WATCH: Find out where to watch the Jeddah E-Prix in your country

By half distance, all 11 rookies had set times with Chadwick at the top of the times. She was eventually dethroned by Théo Maserati MSG Racing's Théo Pourchaire, with Mahindra Racing’s Kush Maini in third.

Teams were using the session to not only test out the stars of tomorrow, but to practice PIT BOOST which makes its debut this weekend. The innovative move in technology will see a return to pit stops in Formula E, with the mandatory mid-race feature giving cars a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) through a 30-second, 600kW boost in the pit lane. It will be used during one of the two races across a double-header.

Team	Rookie Driver
TAG Heuer Porsche	Thomas Preining
NEOM McLaren	Alex Dunne
Jaguar TCS Racing:	Jamie Chadwick
Nissan	Gabriele Minì
Mahindra Racing:	Kush Maini
DS PENSKE	Daniil Kvyat
Andretti	Jak Crawford
Maserati MSG Racing	Théo Pourchaire
Envision Racing	Zak O’Sullivan
CUPRA KIRO	Mikkel Jensen
Lola Yamaha ABT	Tatiana Calderón

As the clock counted down, Mikkel Jensen for CUPRA KIRO went quickest with Pourchaire in second, keeping his name towards the top of the timesheets with five minutes to go. 2023 Formula 2 Champion Pourchaire and sportscar racer Jensen have never driven Formula E cars until this opportunity which will certainly impress teams up and down the paddock.

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However, as the chequred flag was waived it was Maini who was quickest for Mahindra. Neither Jensen or Pourchaire could improve, with Gabriele Minì putting in a stunning final sector to go second.

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix Rounds 3 and 4

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a part of the Formula E calendar since Season 5, but for the first time we’re heading to Jeddah. Host to the fist double-header of the GEN3 Evo era, the grid will be racing under the floodlights on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February 2025.

Rookie Free Practice: Thursday 13 February, 18:00 local/15:00 UTC
Free Practice 1: Thursday 13 February, 21:00 local/18:00 UTC

Free Practice 2: Friday 14 February, 13:00 local/10:00 UTC
Qualifying: Friday 14 February, 15:20 local/12:20 UTC
Race: Friday 14 February, 20:05 local/17:05 UTC

Free Practice 3: Saturday 15 February, 13:00 local/10:00 UTC
Qualifying: Saturday 15 February, 15:20 local/12:00 UTC
Race: Saturday 15 February, 20:05 local/17:05 UTC

View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.

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Additionally, Formula E’s social media channels, website, and app will provide session reports, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from trackside during the four-day event.