Alexander Sims has set the first benchmark of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship having posted the fastest time on the opening day of testing in Valencia today (16 October). The Formula E rookie was fastest in both sessions in his BMW i Andretti Motorsport machine, with his best time of 1:17.553s posted in the afternoon.

Despite the plethora of changes from Gen1 to Gen2 machinery for the upcoming season, Formula E remains incredibly close at the top, with the second fastest time of the day set by DS TECHEETAH’s Andre Lotterer just 0.101s off the top time. BMW i Andretti Motorsport continued its strong day with Sims’ team-mate Antonio Felix da Costa in third just 0.073s further back.

The reigning Teams’ Champion squad Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler were next up with Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt setting the fourth and fifth times respectively.

Jerome D’Ambrosio will race at Mahindra for the coming season following today’s final driver announcement of the pre-season. He was sixth fastest, while his rookie team-mate Pascal Wehrlein was 13^th.

Reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne was the only driver inside the top ten to post his fastest time of the day in the morning session in seventh, ahead of Sebastien Buemi in eighth for Nissan e.dams and Jose Maria Lopez for GEOX DRAGON in ninth. VENTURI Formula E Team’s Felipe Massa rounded out the top ten in his first public session in the all-electric championship.

It was also the first public outing for debutant team HWA RACELAB and their rookie pairing of Gary Paffett and Stoffel Vandoorne.

Combined Classification - Monday