Reigning Formula E champion Sébastien Buemi set the pace in the first and second practice sessions for the Mexico City ePrix.
The Renault e.Dams driver was forced to miss Friday's shakedown due to his World Endurance Championship commitments with Toyota and got an overnight flight to Mexico.
He put in the quickest time of opening practice with a full 200kW lap of 1:02.222 – an unofficial lap record – during a qualifying simulation.
This was despite Buemi being held up by Formula E newcomer Esteban Gutierrez through the final corners. Faraday Future Dragon Racing’s Loïc Duval and Jérôme d'Ambrosio were second and third.
Jean-Éric Vergne was the early pacesetter for Techeetah but dropped to fourth by the end of the 45-minute session, with Andretti’s Robin Frijns in fifth.
Maro Engel suffered a problematic session for Venturi, stopping on track and bringing out yellow flags. It was a tough start for Gutierrez and he was 19th fastest, only ahead of Jaguar’s Adam Carroll.
Conditions were slippery at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Despite grip improving for second practice, there were numerous trips off road and spins during both sessions.
Buemi also reigned supreme in practice two, finishing the 30-minute session at the front of the field with a 1:02.164.
He was just one tenth clear of championship rival Lucas di Grassi, with Vergne and Mahindra’s Nick Heidfeld next up.
Daniel Abt was fifth, with NextEV NIO’s Nelson Piquet Jr and Oliver Turvey sixth and ninth. They were split by Engel and Andretti's António Félix da Costa. Duval completed the top 10.
Gutierrez showed improved form in 13th, behind Stephane Sarrazin and Nicolas Prost. José María López ended the session in the wall at the final chicane, damaging the right-front corner of his DS Virgin Racing car.
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