Maximilian Guenther set the best time of the first Free Practice at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with the DS PENSKE driver looking to secure another victory after winning the debut event here last season.
The German driver set a 1m15.714s, and was closely followed by Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) in second with Jake Dennis (Andretti) third. Edoardo Mortara was fourth for Mahindra Racing and Mitch Evans rounded out the top five for Jaguar TCS Racing.
These conditions are also very representative of tomorrow’s race day conditions, with lights out at 20:05 local time.
There were also some close moments on track, with impeding proving a common issue around this 3.001km track, including for reigning World Champion Oliver Rowland (Nissan) and Taylor Barnard (DS PENSKE) almost making contact during the final moments.
As it happened…
The session began at 20:00 local time, with almost all the grid heading out onto track with just Lucas di Grassi holding back to practice some PIT BOOST.
There was early concern for the DS PENSKE of Taylor Barnard, who complained on the radio that something wasn’t feeling right with his car. “When I am exiting the left front corners, initially the balance feels fine but the higher the speed goes the more understeer I have,” the Brit said, who achieved his first Julius Baer Pole Position here last season.
At the half way point of the session, all drivers had set times but it was Nico Müller of Porsche with a 1m16.261s. Pepe Martí and Dan Ticktum rounded out the top three for the CUPRA KIRO team.
With just under 10 minutes left, Norman Nato was top of the times for Nissan with Miami’s race winner Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) in second.
Martí had a close call with Jean-Eric Vergne as the session came to an end, with the CUPRA KIRO driver impeding the two-time champion in the final laps of the circuit. The rookie immediately apologised, but the incident was noted by the Stewards. Oliver Rowland and Taylor Barnard also had a misunderstanding in the final moments of the 40 minute session.
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2026 Jeddah E-Prix, Rounds 4 and 5
Saudi Arabia has been a staple of the Formula E calendar since Season 5, and found a new home at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit last season. The double-header weekend promises plenty of action and the return of PIT BOOST, all whilst racing under the lights at night over February 13 and 14.
Free Practice 2: Friday 13 February, 13:30 local/10:30 UTC
Qualifying: Friday 13 February, 15:40 local/12:40 UTC
Race: Friday 13 February, 20:05 local/17:05 UTC
Free Practice 3: Saturday 14 February, 13:30 local/10:30 UTC
Qualifying: Saturday 14 February, 15:40 local/12:40 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.
Formula E’s Evo Sessions return in Jeddah
The world’s biggest creators. The world’s fastest electric race car. EVO Sessions is back. After a legendary Season 11, we're taking the spectacle to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Don’t miss the next generation of drivers as they take on the GEN3 Evo — streaming live on YouTube, February 15.
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