Formula E: Bird leads truncated Miami practice

Sam Bird topped the times in what became the only session of free practice ahead of qualifying for the Miami round of the Formula E Championship. The Virgin Racing driver set a best lap of 1m06.588s around the 1.35-mile circuit in downtown Miami.

The Briton jumped to head of the time sheets in the closing minutes of the half-hour session to finish almost a tenth ahead of Mahindra driver Karun Chandhok, who ended with a best of 1m06.689s. Championship leader Lucas di Grassi was third fastest for the Abt team, a further two tenths back at 1m06.909s.

Formula E debutant Scott Speed ended up fourth for the Andretti team and Daniel Abt fifth in the second Abt Spark-Renault SRT_01E. Nick Heidfeld rounded out the top six in the best of the entries from the Venturi team.

Free practice had been due to start at 8:15 a.m., but was set back in a series of steps while work was completed on the Miami ePrix street circuit. The scheduled two sessions – one of 45 minutes and one of 30 – were initially combined into a one-hour period. The continued delays meant this had to be reduced to 45, 35 and then 30 minutes, with the cars getting out onto the track at 11 a.m.

Qualifying is due to start at 12:10 p.m., 10 minutes later than originally scheduled. The 39-lap race is still set to go ahead at 4:05 p.m. local time.

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Originally on Autosport.com