Nyck de Vries goes fastest in FP2 at the 2025 Marvel Fantastic Four London E-Prix, edging Evans and Ticktum before qualifying.
Introduction
What a way to return! Nyck de Vries made a bold statement in Free Practice 2 (FP2) for the 2025 Marvel Fantastic Four London E-Prix, putting Mahindra Racing on top of the timesheets. After skipping the Berlin round, de Vries showed he’s lost none of his spark by setting the fastest time of the session. With the excitement of qualifying looming, this FP2 session offered fans a real taste of what’s to come.
Let’s dive into how FP2 unfolded at the London ExCeL circuit—a venue that combines the indoors and outdoors in true Formula E fashion.
1. A Strong Return for Nyck de Vries
After skipping the Berlin E-Prix due to prior commitments, Nyck de Vries came back with a bang. The 2021 Formula E Champion was quick to find his rhythm and clocked a best time of 1m07.521s, topping the session. It was a strong signal—not just to his rivals, but to Mahindra Racing too, that their star driver is still one to watch.
2. A Competitive Field Right Behind
While de Vries topped the timing screens, the rest of the field wasn’t far off. In fact, the top ten were separated by less than half a second. That’s the beauty of Formula E—there’s no room for comfort, and even the smallest mistake can shuffle the deck entirely.
3. Mitch Evans Just Misses Out
Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans pushed hard throughout the session, coming up just 0.043 seconds short of de Vries’ benchmark. Evans looked aggressive and precise, clearly riding the momentum from his Berlin victory. His car danced on the limit, and if qualifying goes his way, he could be the man to beat.
4. Dan Ticktum’s Porsche-Powered Push
Dan Ticktum was one of the surprise packages of FP2. Driving for CUPRA KIRO, he slotted into third, showcasing impressive control and pace with the Porsche powertrain behind him. His performance suggests that he’s in the mix not just for points, but possibly a front-row start.
5. Pascal Wehrlein Continues Consistency
Pascal Wehrlein has made a name for himself this season with his consistent performances. In FP2, he was fourth quickest for TAG Heuer Porsche, staying in touch with the leaders and keeping his qualifying prospects wide open. As one of the title contenders, his ability to always be in the top five is a weapon.
6. Jake Hughes Shows Pace for Maserati MSG
Rounding out the top five was Jake Hughes, delivering a solid session for Maserati MSG Racing. Hughes has shown flashes of speed all season, and his FP2 effort could translate into a strong qualifying run—possibly his best yet in 2025.
7. Track Evolution and Early Risers
The session began at 10:00 local time, and early on, it was the Envision Racing duo—Robin Frijns and Sebastien Buemi—who looked sharp. As the surface rubbered in, lap times dropped, with drivers pushing harder and confidence growing with every minute.
8. Spins, Slides, and the Edge of Control
No Formula E session is complete without a bit of drama. Sam Bird had an early spin for NEOM McLaren, citing cold tyres as the culprit. Meanwhile, Maximilian Guenther, Frijns, and Jake Dennis also had moments—each pushing their cars to the absolute limit and occasionally stepping over the edge. It’s like walking a tightrope with greased shoes—thrilling and dangerous.
9. Qualifying Simulations and Late Surges
In the final ten minutes, several drivers began their qualifying simulations, attempting to replicate the high-pressure runs they’d need later in the day. Despite these late flyers, the order at the top remained relatively unchanged—highlighting that the early pace from de Vries and Evans was no fluke.
10. How Mahindra Racing Can Capitalize
With de Vries showing strong pace, Mahindra Racing must now focus on strategy. The car’s setup looks solid, and if they play their cards right, a top-three qualifying result is realistic. Given their struggles earlier in the season, this could be a major turning point.
11. The London ExCeL Circuit’s Unique Challenge
The ExCeL Circuit is unlike any other. Combining indoor and outdoor sections, it demands adaptability from drivers and engineers alike. The changing grip levels and lighting transitions make it as challenging as threading a needle during an earthquake.
12. Why This FP2 Matters
Practice may not score points, but it builds confidence, helps fine-tune the setup, and gives a psychological edge. De Vries now holds the high ground heading into qualifying—momentum, assurance, and a data-filled telemetry sheet.
13. Momentum into Qualifying
For frontrunners like de Vries, Evans, and Ticktum, this FP2 session has set the tone. Qualifying will be about precision under pressure. With lap times so tight, even a tenth of a second could decide whether a driver starts on pole or on row three.
14. What to Expect Next
All eyes now shift to qualifying. Can de Vries carry this form through? Will Evans bounce back and take pole? And can underdogs like Ticktum and Hughes throw a curveball into the mix? The tension is building—and we’re all here for it.
15. Conclusion
Nyck de Vries has announced his return to the Formula E paddock in style, putting Mahindra Racing on top in FP2 at the 2025 Marvel Fantastic Four London E-Prix. With the top five separated by mere tenths, qualifying promises fireworks. The London ExCeL circuit has already delivered thrills—and we’re only just getting started.
FAQs
1. Who was fastest in FP2 at the 2025 London E-Prix?
Nyck de Vries topped the timesheets for Mahindra Racing with a lap of 1m07.521s.
2. How close was Mitch Evans to de Vries in FP2?
Evans was just 0.043 seconds behind de Vries, showing impressive speed for Jaguar TCS Racing.
3. Which teams looked strong during FP2?
Mahindra, Jaguar, CUPRA KIRO, TAG Heuer Porsche, and Maserati MSG Racing all showed competitive pace.
4. Were there any crashes or incidents in FP2?
There were no major crashes, but several drivers like Sam Bird and Jake Dennis spun or ran wide during the session.
5. When does qualifying take place for the London E-Prix?
Qualifying is scheduled shortly after FP2, and with the tight times from practice, it’s expected to be a close and thrilling session.
