After a steady FP2 session at the 2026 Berlin E-Prix, drivers headed into Qualifying 1 of the 2026 Formula E World Championship with limited margins and plenty still to decide. António Félix da Costa set the pace in practice, but several drivers showed strong speed throughout the session, keeping the field tightly packed.
Track conditions improved steadily as rubber built up, allowing lap times to drop and making timing crucial. With multiple contenders in form and the order far from settled, Qualifying 1 presented the first real opportunity to define the grid.
The question remained: who could deliver when it mattered most and secure the first pole of the weekend in Berlin?
Group A
Group A made their way on to the track to kick off Qualifying 1 at the Formula E Berlin E-Prix, led by Pascal Wehrlein. The weekend hasn’t looked easy for Porsche this weekend, with Wehrlein down in 14th after FP1, while his teammate Nico Müller was in 11th.
Felipe Drugovich led Group A for Andretti Formula E with five minutes remaining in the session, but Mitch Evans moved ahead of him. Evans also confirmed that he would leave Jaguar TCS Racing at the end of Season 12. Oliver Rowland quickly took the top spot with a 58.874, knocking Drugovich out of the duels. Nick Cassidy remained quiet but consistent in third.
With the track much warmer and less than two minutes remaining, Wehrlein took the top spot back with a 58.369. Joel Eriksson looked very strong in fourth, but Barnard knocked him out of the Duels.
In a late move, Rowland pushed through to demote Barnard out of fourth place, moving into third.
Through to the Duel stages are: Wehrlein, Drugovich, Rowland and Cassidy.
Group B
The track was green for Group B as the next batch of drivers fought for the top four spots, to make it into the Duel stages of the Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying 1 session.
As the drivers went for their warm-up laps, Nyck de Vries found himself in his first Qualifying 1 session in Berlin, for the first time in the Gen 3 era.
Push laps came in and whilst leading the pack, Lucas di Grassi brushed the wall and has sustained damage to the rear of his car. With the Lola Yamaha Abt driver out of the way, Nico Müller moved to the top with a 58.590.
There was only a little over a minute left when Dan Ticktum made a late surge for the top spot, pushing da Costa out of the Duels. Meanwhile, Maximilian Günther found himself in sixth, unable to make a move for one of the top four spots, while Edoardo Mortara sat still in second.
With the clock striking zero, Zane Maloney made it through to the Duels for the first time in his Formula E career, while Jaguar have plenty to work on, as both drivers were out of the Duels.
Through to the Duel stages are: Ticktum, Mortara, Maloney and Müller
Quarter Finals
The Quarter Finals were set, and Rowland and Drugovich went head to head in the first pairing. Both drivers went out and set closely matched times, but Rowland, who won the Formula E title at this circuit the previous year, delivered the cleaner lap.
Drugovich made a mistake and went wide in Turn 2, ultimately handing the Nissan driver the round.
Wehrlein and Cassidy were next in line and while it looked like Cassidy would take the win after the Porsche driver was down in the first few sectors, Wehrlein held it together to progress into the Semi Finals.
All eyes were on Mortara and Maloney as the Lola Yamaha Abt driver took to his first Quarter Finals in his Formula E career. Mortara’s pace was unbeatable but Maloney made a great effort. Mortara set the quickest time at the Formula E Berlin E-Prix Qualifying 1 session so far.
For the final round of the Quarter Finals, it was time for Ticktum and Müller to battle it out. With the Porsche driver three tenths down on Ticktum after going wide, the Cupra Kiro driver showed what he is capable of, taking the final spot in the Semi Finals.
Semi Finals
Up first in the Semi Finals were Rowland and Wehrlein. After slightly brushing the wall during the Quarter Finals, Wehrlein’s Porsche was not in the best condition. While this could appear like an advantage for Rowland, Wehrlein improved his lap time, beating the reigning World Champion. All this while the onboard showed Wehrlein’s steering wheel not where the German wanted it to be.
Mortara and Ticktum took to the track and while Ticktum showed great pace, Mortara was just too quick, nearly two-tenths ahead of the Cupra Kiro driver. Mortara’s Mahindra built up too much of a gap ahead of Ticktum, taking the final spot in the battle for pole.
Final battle for pole at the Formula E Berlin E-Prix
The stage was set for Mortara and Wehrlein to battle it out for pole position in Berlin. Mortara is currently the best qualifier on average in Season 12 and he’s seeking his fourth pole at the Tempelhof Circuit. Can he beat the home hero to start Round 7 at the top?
After sustaining damage to his Porsche machinery, Wehrlein slightly hesitated, handing precious tenths to Mortara, giving the Mahindra driver the advantage. With Mortara flying, the Swiss driver brought it home with his fourth pole position at the Tempelhof.
