Formula E: René Rast Tops Record-Breaking Opening Practice in Portland

René Rast topped the opening practice session at the inaugural Portland E-Prix, and for the first time ever, Formula E lap average speeds exceeded 100mph.

With the Portland International Raceway representing the fourth new venue of the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, and is taking place on an actual circuit rather than a street track.

NEOM McLaren’s Rene Rast finished the first practice session of the Southwire Portland E-Prix fastest, as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship broke several Formula E records.

Rast, who has not been in the top five in any practice session this season, set a time of 1m09.054s which put him quickest of the grid of 22 drivers. The DS PENSKE of Jean-Eric Vergne was just 0.172s behind him to finish second, with the NIO 333 of Dan Ticktum completing the top three.

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Sam Bird lined up in fourth, and the winner last time out in Jakarta, Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Guenther finished in fifth.

The Jaguar TCS Racing of Mitch Evans hit a 276.6km/h (171.9mph) top speed on his final flying lap of the session, an impressive stat to accompany Jaguar’s Sam Bird who also became the first driver to break a speed of 275km/h for the first time Formula E history.

Practice 1 Results