It’s time for the Formula E drivers to get back out on track in Berlin for Qualifying, after a first session which had ended on an unexpected note. The pouring rain on the iconic Tempelhof track had caused the cancellation of FP2.
Qualifying was as severely delayed as well because of the intensity of the rain. The format was also changed because of the unfortunate track conditions. In fact, the grid will be set by only the two Group stage runs.
Group A for Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying
Rowland, Da Costa, Ticktum, Sette Camara, Gunther, Mortara, Dennis, Muller, Bird, Evans and Maloney take the track. The Jaguar driver set thee best early benchmark in 1:16.33s, with Dennis, Da Costa and Muller provisionally through as well.
Ticktum has a let braking moment in the puring rain, but manages to keep his Kiro challenger on track. At the halfqay point in the session Evans is still in the lead with a veery strong 1:12.790s lap, whivh is almost two seconds better than everyone else oiut on track at the moment. In fact, Da Costa in P2 has lapped in 1:14.13s.
The ease of drive of the Kiwi driver is evident also by looking at the different racing lines he keeps compared to his colleagues. Sette Camara, on the other hand, has a moment and runs over a kerb.
Dennis shoots to P2 0.987s off Evans’s time, however the Jaguar driver on his second run sets an even better bar in 1:11.884s. Da Costa, recovering from the impact with his teammate which had happened yesterday, cycles in P2, but times are thumbling.
Gunther and Rowland are the latest drivers to switch in in P2 when everyone is bracing for their final qualifying attempt of the day. In spite of some strong early sectors, no-one manages to split the provisional top 4. Both the DS Penske and the Nissan driver improve their efforts, with the championship lader setting a 1:12.00s, whereas Da Costa runs wide off track. Evans takes the top spot in the first group by a second.
Complete provisional Results for Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying – Group A
- Evans
- Rowland
- Gunther
- Da Costa
- Ticktum
- Mortara
- Muller
- Bird
- Dennis
- Maloney
- Sette Camara
Group B for Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying
All drivers immediately headed out as the rain slows a bit and the sun comes out on the Tempelhof. Frijns is on top after the first set of out-laps, with a 1:15.410s, ahead of Cassidy, Werhlein and Hughes.
Cars are still lifting great amounts of standing water on track. Barnard takes a strong lead in 1:14.294s, ahead of Hughes, Cassidy and JEV. Track evolution is however paying an important role, with times already faster than in the previous Group.
With five minutes left of track time, Frijns leads again in 1:12.138s from Wehrlein, Barnard and JEV. The Dutch driver appears to be on a roll, as he then becomes the first driver to sign a lap in the 1:11s, only for him to lower it to 1:11.630s on his following attempt.
Cassidy mentions braking issues while on a slower lap. Debutant driver for Mahindra Drugovich is having a positive run, with the Aston Martin F1 Reserve Driver setting a 1;12.760s good enough for P7.
Ahead of the last set of attempts Frijns, Wehrlein, Hughes, Barnard and Vandoorne hold the top 5, with many drivers on fast laps. Wehrlein and Hughes take turns in P1, but Frijns returns in his spot with a 1:11.109s.
Overall, it’s the first pole position in almost a year for Evans. May drivers will have to serve grid penalties, including Wehrlein, Drugovich and Buemi, who didn’t take part in Qualifying.
Tune in later for the Race!
Complete provisional Results for Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying -Group B
- Frijns,
- Hughes,
- Wehrlein
- Vergne
- Barnard
- Vandoorne
- Drugovich
- Di Grassi
- Cassidy
- Beckmann
- Buemi
