It’s the first Formula E qualifying for the London E-Prix this weekend, and it’s Mitch Evans on pole for Race 1 later today.
Group A
Drivers: Rowland, Barnard, Cassidy, Ticktum, Günther, Buemi, de Vries, Müller, Bird, Nato, Maloney
The first group heads out for the first part of qualifying. Build laps completed in the first few minutes, as the drivers – still on the normal 300kW power – start to push. Cassidy was the first to set a representative lap time with a 1:08.955, three tenths quicker than Günther and Ticktum.
De Vries is under investigation for not following race director’s instructions. He has pitted. Günther then started to get quicker, but it was not enough for first place. Müller up to brief sixth, while Barnard encountered Cassidy on his flying lap!
Chequered flag is waving, and Barnard and Rowland can’t make it! Müller just misses out as well. Stewards noted an incident between Nato and Cassidy, that is now under investigation for erratic driving. Through go Cassidy, Günther, De Vries and Ticktum.
Group A result
Group B
Drivers: Wehrlein, da Costa, Vergne, Mortara, Dennis, Evans, Vandoorne, Hughes, di Grassi, Frijns, Beckmann
Now it’s time for the second group to qualify for the duel stages. Same as in Group A, the first part of the session will be build laps only. Interestingly, both Porsche’s were close together. Wehrlein started to weave, Da Costa did the same behind. With 6 minutes to go, we finally see some push laps incoming.
Evans on his first push lap had a slight moment before Turn 16, losing some time. However, it’s the fastest for the Top 4 at that point. Mortara then took the lead ahead of Wehrlein. Beckmann only up to 8th on his first push lap. Evans on a strong lap, but he only improves to second place.
Dennis up to third, as Wehrlein takes the P1 spot and improved that time on his final time. Chequered flag is waving, Hughes on a good lap had a big moment, going sideways on his final push lap, up to P2 and that is taken by Evans then! Vandoorne up to P4! Dennis is out!
So it is Wehrlein, Evans, Hughes and Vandoorne through.
Group B result
Quarter Finals
Into the quarter-finals we go, and the first duel is between De Vries and Günther. It’s the Mahindra driver first on track, and he was 0.003, then 0.001 seconds ahead! Very close between both drivers, as Günther loses out in the final sector.
In the second duel, it’s Ticktum against Cassidy. The British driver was first down by 0.088 seconds but impressively pulled it back! Cassidy was slightly wide in one of the 20 corners, but he got close again to Ticktum but couldn’t make it. Just 0.017 seconds between both drivers.
In the third duel, Hughes is challenging Evans. The Jaguar driver immediately showed his pace, over the whole lap – with one exception, where he lost some time. No chance for Hughes, as Evans beats him by 0,186 seconds.
Vandoorne and Wehrlein form the fourth and final duel. Very close in the first sector, as Wehrlein just jumps ahead first and then back. The Porsche driver pulled it back in the final sector and beats the second Maserati driver as well.
Semi Finals
Two duels ahead, and we start with Ticktum against de Vries. The Cupra drivers locked up into Turn 10 on his out lap, but started his lap. It’s a very close duel between both drivers, with De Vries slightly faster, and he was able to stay quicker at the line with a 0.009 gap.
The second duel of the semi-finals has started, Evans against Wehrlein. A very strong duel just started! Wehrlein was slightly behind in the first sector, and he couldn’t pull it back in the second sector. In the end, Evans beats him by 0.034 second, as the Porsche completed a strong final sector.
Final
Who will take pole for the first race of the weekend in London? De Vries and Evans fight for first place! The Dutchman is first on track and started his lap better than Evans, by 0.057 seconds. Both were closer after sector 2, as Evans got quicker. He was able to keep up the pace and take pole with a 1:07.205!
Stay tuned for Race 1 in the capital of the United Kingdom!
