It’s time to set the Formula E grid with Qualifying in Shanghai! Who start the first leg of the Chinese double header from pole? Will championship leader Evans get an head start, or will Sanja race winner Dennis instead?
Group A on track for Shanghai Formula E Qualifying
After the first set of attempts, Mortara briefly led the first segment, but it was short lasting as Dennis went fastest. With theee minutes left on the clock he would advance along with Buemi, Vergne and Martí.
The Spaniard fails to advance ultimately, just like Mortara, as both of them fail to improve their previous benchmarks set earlier in the 10 minutes session. Evans was the only driver to improve his performance in 1:09s, moving forward with Dennis, Buemi and Vergne
Group B is ready!
the first set of timed laps came in a bit later compared to the first group, with Ticktum and Wehrlein recording the first attempt four minutes into the session. Nyck de Vries is on track, following a technical issue which left him out of FP2.
After the first set of early laps, Nato, Leads from Ticktum, Drugovich and Da Costa, with the two previous leaders cycling in the lead. Cassidy almost came to a stop on track, but was able to keep his Citroen car running. He laments severe understeer on the radio.
At the end of the session, right before the final set of banker laps, Wehrlein leads from da Costa, Ticktum and Guenther. Ultimately, the German dives in to the pit, with all involved drivers failing to improve their earlier best.
It isa very challenging session for Mahindra, with three times pole sitter in 2026 Mortara and Sanya podium finisher De Vries not advancing and also finding themselves at the back of the standings.
Cassidy was definitely not pleased with his elimination, mentioning tyre temperature issues.
Quarter Finals moment!
Buemi and Dennis face in the first Duel of the racing weekend. It was a bit one way, as the Envision man ran straight on at Turn 7.
Evans and Vergne take the track next, with the Jaguar man starting strong with a 0.1s lead, which grew to over 0.3s by the end of the lap.
The following Duel antagonises Günther and da Costa. The DS Penske man began with a slight advantage over the champion, and ultimately managed to hold onto it to get to the semi finals.
Porsche powered Wehrlein and Ticktum duel in the fast quarter final of the day. The factory team talent begun with a 0.180s lead over the Brit, who then managed to close a bit the gap. Ultimately it’s the former Formula E champion through in Qualifying in Shanghai.
Semi Finals sees several manufacturers battling
Evans began the first Semi Final in control, but the Andretti man aimed at closing the gap, reducing it to only 0.07s in the second sector. Ultimately, he found pace in the final sector.
Wehrlein too appeared confident in his lap from early onset, starting with a 0.2s over Günther. The Porsche man built on that for the entirety of the lap, ending with almost four tenths over the German.
Pole time!
Which talented contend will get to add to his points tally? Wehrlein began his lap with a 0.062 lead over the championship leader, which grew to 0.107s in the second and rounded off in the final corners.
It’s a thirteenth Formula E pole for the German, who mentioned he would like to see rain in the upcoming race, following his strong pace display during FP1.
