Sebastien Buemi Leads Rain-Impacted FP3 at Berlin E-Prix 2025

In a rain-disrupted Free Practice 3 (FP3) session at the Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Sébastien Buemi of Envision Racing clocked the fastest time, completing the circuit in 1m09.912s. This session was marked by significant interruptions, including two red flags, which hampered competitors’ ability to improve their times during the final practice ahead of the 2025 Hankook Berlin E-Prix, scheduled for later today.

The session, initially delayed by 15 minutes due to poor track conditions, saw Buemi take the lead early on, capitalizing on the slippery surface. Taylor Barnard from NEOM McLaren secured the second position, despite his frustrations over traffic issues affecting his earlier laps. Oliver Rowland of Nissan claimed third place, though he faces a five-place grid penalty for an incident involving Stoffel Vandoorne of Maserati MSG Racing during yesterday's race.

Nico Mueller from Andretti finished fourth, while Maximilian Guenther of DS Penske rounded out the top five. However, Guenther is under investigation for a tyre pressure violation, following a black and orange flag infringement.

The rain intensified, impacting visibility and grip, leading to a series of incidents. The first red flag was triggered when Antonio Félix da Costa's TAG Heuer Porsche faced an unsafe tire release, causing his right rear tire to detach at Turn 10. Da Costa, who finished the session in 22nd, did not manage to set a competitive lap time.

The second incident involved a heavy crash by Lucas di Grassi, the Season 3 champion, who crashed into the barriers, leading to significant damage to his Lola Yamaha ABT car. Fortunately, di Grassi exited the vehicle unharmed, but the session could not resume with only five minutes remaining on the clock.

The chaotic FP3 session sets the stage for an exciting race day, as teams prepare for the qualifying heats at 11:20 AM local time (09:20 UTC) and the main event at 4:00 PM local time (14:00 UTC). With the unpredictable weather conditions looming, teams will need to strategize effectively to navigate both the track and any potential penalties that could affect their starting positions.

As the championship progresses, this FP3 session underscores the importance of adaptability in Formula E racing. The results not only impact the drivers’ standings but also reflect the broader challenges faced in the electric racing series, where weather conditions can drastically alter race dynamics and outcomes. Fans and teams alike are set for a thrilling continuation of the 2025 season, with heightened stakes as they head into the Berlin race.