The streets of Tokyo have roared to life once again as Formula E returned to the Japanese capital for the first free practice session of the weekend. With local manufacturers Nissan and Lola Yamaha eager to impress on home soil and with changes to the track layout promising faster lap times, all eyes were on what would unfold in this opening session. And it did not disappoint.
Sector 3 Changes Deliver Instant Results
Right from the start, there was a sense of anticipation in the air. The most notable change from last year came in the final sector: a chicane had been removed in Sector 3, designed to increase speed and flow. The effect was immediate. Just six minutes into the session, Oliver Rowland – last year’s polesitter – smashed the existing track record with a scorching 1:16.944, besting his own benchmark by nearly two seconds. It was a fitting moment for Nissan, who once again arrived in Tokyo sporting a special livery – this year, a pixelated tribute to a retro-style racing game released in the run-up to the event.
Times Tumble, but Trouble at Turn 15
Within minutes, the times continued to tumble. Pascal Wehrlein and Rowland traded blows at the top of the timing sheets, with Wehrlein briefly dipping into the 1:15s before Rowland responded again. As the field pushed harder, mistakes began to creep in. António Félix da Costa made a big lateral error at Turn 15 – a corner that would go on to define the session.
By the quarter-hour mark, ominous grey clouds hovered over the circuit. While conditions remained dry for FP1, forecasts suggest Saturday could be a washout, making today’s running all the more critical. But then, drama struck.
Barnard Crash Brings Out Red Flag
At 16 minutes in, the session was red-flagged after a heavy crash involving Taylor Barnard. The young Brit, perhaps a bit too eager, understeered into the wall at Turn 15 – the same tricky section where Da Costa had struggled.
The impact was significant, destroying the right side of his car. With a 10-minute stoppage for barrier repairs, it gave teams a brief pause to regroup.
Rowland Leads Restart as Cassidy Struggles
When running resumed at the 23-minute mark, it was Oliver Rowland again who led the way, ahead of Nyck De Vries and Jake Dennis. Rowland’s time of 1:14.786 set the pace temporarily, but the extended session – lengthened by eight minutes to account for the red flag – saw a flurry of fast laps.
Nick Cassidy, in contrast, had a miserable session, once again lamenting his car’s performance – this time, the brakes. The Jaguar driver languished at the bottom of the timesheets, while his teammate Mitch Evans briefly lifted Jaguar’s spirits by climbing into second place, but later falling back into 17th.
Late Pace from Müller, Dennis and Ticktum
The Swiss driver Nico Müller was among those to benefit from the mid-session reset. In attack mode, he blasted to the top with a 1:13.902, but his time was short-lived. Dennis then lowered the benchmark to a 1:13.245, with hints that a 1:12 lap could be on the horizon.
That prediction came true as Dan Ticktum delivered the first sub-1:13 lap – a stunning 1:12 in the Cupra Kiro, showing Cupra’s pace in qualifying trim. Porsche powertrains briefly locked out the top five, but the momentum shifted again as the local favourites struck back.
Nissan and Nato Shine Late
Both Nissan entries surged to the top, electrifying the home fans. Rowland and Nato traded blows, but in the end, it was Norman Nato – in the Nissan – who stunned the paddock by going fastest overall with a 1:12.152. It was a much-needed boost for the team, who have endured a difficult season so far.
Maximilian Günther delivered a late flyer to slot into second, just under three-tenths adrift of Nato. Rowland secured third, followed by Pascal Wehrlein in fourth and Stoffel Vandoorne in fifth. Ticktum rounded out a surpising session for Cupra Kiro in sixth.
Midfield Concerns for Big Names
But for the likes of Jaguar and Envision, the session raised more questions than answers. Neither team cracked the top 15, with Cassidy’s continued complaints and the Envision duo struggling to adapt to the revised circuit. Sam Bird, the only McLaren still running, was two seconds off the pace.
While DS Penske managed to muscle their way into the top 13 using attack mode, the team still appeared off the pace compared to the frontrunners – a worrying sign given their title ambitions.
Strong Start Sets the Stage for a Wet Weekend
As the chequered flag waved, the first chapter of the Tokyo weekend closed with plenty of intrigue. With Saturday’s weather set to turn, today’s times may prove even more important for qualifying simulations. For now, Norman Nato can bask in the rare spotlight, while the home crowd revels in a strong start from Nissan and Lola Yamaha alike.
The Formula E Tokyo E-Prix has begun – and it’s already full throttle.