The most difficult single-seater makes its debut in Miami

Miami is a spectacle and the Homestead circuit where NASCAR races is also a spectacle. This is the setting for this weekend's race on the longest track of the year and one of the most original, with banked corners that reach 20% and make this place a spectacular circuit.

Formula E cars will not take the full banking because they would have to change the setting of the car completely, but seeing them take advantage of the start of the banking and get close to the wall as they do in Indy or NASCAR is breathtaking because it looks like they are going to eat the wall and see them attack and quickly is amazing.

The Gen3 Evo, tested on a special circuit

Both the single-seater, which is racing here for the first time and is causing a stir, and the track itself. It is very difficult to drive, very demanding and perhaps that is why you have to be very experienced to get the most out of it. Seeing them fight and literally climb the walls is another level and they have already left some hints in the first free practice sessions.

Antonio Felix Da Costa, champion in 2020 and runner-up this year, explains how to get the most out of the sophisticated Gen3 Evo: "The truth is that I drove a Formula 1 car for five years as a Red Bull test driver and the truth is that it is such a good car that everything you ask of it, it does. And when you get here you find a car with a lot of power, but less grip, less aerodynamics, (which moves a little bit more). You notice the difference because it has a lot of technology with the brakes, the regeneration... everything."

"It's quite a complicated car to understand, even for someone who's been in Formula 1 for 10 years, with a car that gives you everything you ask for. That's not the case here, so you have to improvise a lot more and understand that you're not going to have a perfect car every day and I think that's why it can be a bit difficult," added the Portuguese.

Da Costa points out that Formula E cars are cars that the driver has to get along with: "It's exactly that, it's a car where we don't have slicks, or so much aerodynamics. It moves around a lot and if there's a hard braking, the car is moving around all the time. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with those movements, with those things that are not 100% under control. But that's also the magic of when you go well in this car, when you make a pole, when you win a race it gives you a great satisfaction".

Jaguar shows its 'paw'

Well, those 'indomitable' single-seaters made their debut at Homestead in the first free practice session, setting the benchmark time of 1.23.785, which was the best time of the day set by Nick Cassidy. Jaguar thus returned to prominence after a very discreet start to the season. Software development has not gone as well as expected and the other powerful teams have taken advantage of this to the fight. Da Costa was second, a tenth behind, and third was Taylor Barnard of McLaren, who continues to impress as a rookie and the youngest on the grid.

Thirteen drivers finished less than a second apart, so once again parity seems assured on the track. As for the Spanish team CUPRA Kiro, Dan Ticktum was the best classified with the eighth best time.

The track was left clean of rubber after a torrential downpour in the middle of the day, something very common in South Florida. There were no dramatic exits, but the drivers were cautious not to compromise the team's work. The asphalt and how abrasive it can be for race pace - as everyone believes that it can eat the Hankook - will be key throughout the weekend, so a rainy qualifying session and a dramatic drop in the race is a possibility within the variables facing the teams.

At the start of the session, the Porsches almost touched each other as they tried to manage the traffic, due to the narrowness of the track and with the short practice time, it will be difficult to find a clean lap. This will probably mean surprises for qualifying.