British ace and FIA Formula E race winner Sam Bird set the pace in the opening practice session this morning on the streets of Miami.

After last-minute circuit construction delayed the green flag, Bird’s Virgin Racing entry set the pace with a time of 1:06.588 – just pushing out Karun Chandhok by .101 of a second.

Championship leader Lucas di Grassi was third fastest ahead of an impressive performance from ex-Formula 1 driver Scott Speed who is making his debut with Andretti.

Another ex-F1 racer Vitantonio Liuzzi was also impressive in his first session on board a Formula E car. The Italian was actually in Miami on vacation when he got a last minute call from his friend – Formula E team owner Jarno Trulli.

At one stage late in the session, Liuzzi was actually second fastest before being pushed down the field in the final moments of the session to eighth.

The single yellow flag of the practice session was caused by Nick Heidfeld who locked up and ran up the escape road.

Last round winner Antonio Felix da Costa had a troubled session, finishing in last place and unable to break past the 1 minute, 10 second bracket.

Qualifying is up next here in Miami at 12:10pm. Click here for full results from the opening session…..