Oliver Rowland led his Nissan teammate Norman Nato in the inaugural 2025 Jeddah E-Prix FP1 session.
The session marked a significant moment in the Formula E calendar as it was the first time the electric racing series took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, utilizing a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Under the floodlights, Nissan dominated 2025 Jeddah E-Prix FP1 with Oliver Rowland clocking an impressive lap time of 1:15.849 to finish ahead of his teammate Norman Nato who came in closely behind in second place.
The session began at 21:00 local time with all 22 drivers eager to familiarize themselves with the new circuit layout.
Rowland quickly established himself as the driver to beat, demonstrating both speed and control as he navigated the challenging track. His performance not only set the pace but also instilled confidence within the Nissan team, which has been working diligently to optimize their powertrains for Season 11.
Nato’s second-place finish further emphasized Nissan’s strong start, as he completed his best lap just 0.131 seconds behind Rowland.
Edoardo Mortara from Mahindra Racing secured third place with a time of 1:16.069, indicating that his team was also in contention for a competitive weekend.
Mortara’s performance was notable as he continued to build on Mahindra’s positive momentum from previous sessions, where rookie Kush Miani had topped the earlier rookie test. The team appeared well-prepared for the challenges posed by the Jeddah circuit.
Sam Bird from NEOM McLaren finished fourth, showcasing his ability to extract performance from his car in what is expected to be a highly competitive Jeddah E-Prix weekend. Bird’s Formula E experience was evident as he pushed hard to keep pace with the leaders.
Just behind him was Cupra Kiro’s Dan Ticktum who rounded out the top five with a commendable showing that highlighted his growing confidence and skill in the series.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Pascal Wehrlein endured a challenging Jeddah E-Prix FP1 after finishing sixth. However, the TAG Heuer Porsche driver remained optimistic about his chances in the upcoming sessions and races despite being unable to match Rowland’s pace.
Maserati MSG’s Stoffel Vandoorne followed closely behind in seventh place while Wehrlein’s Porsche teammate Antonio Felix da Costa managed to secure eighth position despite starting further down on the grid.
Maximilian Günther from DS Penske and Mitch Evans from Jaguar TCS Racing rounded out the top ten finishers in 2025 Jeddah E-Prix FP1. Günther’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he had been under investigation for a potential pit boost infringement earlier in the session but managed to stay competitive nonetheless.
As the session unfolded, there were moments of drama on track. A near-miss between Wehrlein and Rowland highlighted the intensity of competition as both drivers sought to maximize their laps without compromising safety.
The close proximity of cars during Jeddah E-Prix FP1 session is not uncommon in Formula E, where drivers often push their limits to gain valuable insights into car handling and track conditions.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit itself presented unique challenges with its combination of tight corners and long straights. The layout required drivers to balance aggression with precision, making it essential for teams to fine-tune their setups for optimal performance under floodlights.
