Sam Bird topped a delayed practice session for Virgin Racing in front of Sir Richard Branson in Miami ahead of Mahindra’s Karun Chandhok and Audi Sport ABT driver Lucas di Grassi.

Following some late track preparations, the Formula E cars finally exited the pitlane in a flurry ahead of qualifying for the Miami ePrix.

The drivers had a shortened session to contend with and made the most of the opportunity to learn the track along the Biscayne Bay. Bird quickly got into the groove on the dusty street circuit clocking a 1:06.558, a tenth clear of Chandhok.

Championship leader Lucas di Grassi rounded out the top-three with Formula E debutant and home hero Scott Speed a place further back in fourth for Andretti.

Di Grassi’s team-mate Daniel Abt ended the session in fifth ahead of Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld who narrowly avoided the wall following a big lock-up and having to take to the escape road.