Jeddah E-Prix 2026: Maximilian Gunther tops FP1, season’s podium finishers dominate top six

Maximilian Gunther seems to have lost none of his touch in Jeddah after winning the race last season. The DS Penske driver topped the first free practice session (FP1) held on Thursday. This is enough to suggest Gunther is among the top contenders for the winner’s trophy in Jeddah. Coming off a podium finish in Miami, Pascal Wehrlein was second, while Sao Paulo E-Prix winner Andretti’s Jake Dennis was third.

Podium finishers this season lead FP1 in Jeddah

Interestingly, all the top six finishers in Thursday’s Jeddah E-Prix FP1 have secured a podium this season. There may not be major surprises in Jeddah this year, but that remains to be seen over the two races.

Maximilian Günther was the fastest at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Thursday, with a lap time of 1:15.714. He also won pole and the first race of the doubleheader last season. He is yet to claim a podium finish this year and will be going all-in during Round 4 on Friday and Round 5 on Saturday.


Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara was fourth, followed by Jaguar TCS Racing driver Mitch Evans in fifth. Oliver Rowland, who won the second race of last year’s Jeddah doubleheader, finished sixth in FP1. He still has opportunities to reach the podium once again.

Envision Racing’s Sebastien Buemi was seventh, Cupra Kiro’s Dan Ticktum was eighth, and Nissan’s Norman Nato was ninth. Taylor Barnard, who won pole and secured a podium in Jeddah last year, was tenth.

More action at the Jeddah E-Prix

Friday’s action will begin in the afternoon with FP2 at 1:30 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. IST). Round 4 qualifying is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. local time (6:10 p.m. IST), followed by the final under the lights at 8:05 p.m. local time (10:35 p.m. IST).

The schedule will be repeated on Saturday for Round 5. After the races, the special Formula E Evo Sessions are scheduled for Sunday. Ten of the world’s most popular social media influencers will get behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo cars for a fun race.

Also read: Khaby Lame to Emilia Hartford: Here’s the star-studded lineup for Formula E EVO Sessions in Jeddah




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