Buemi wins pole (update)

Sebastien Buemi set fast time in qualifying for the Long Beach ePrix

UPDATE Sebastien Buemi stole pole position in the closing seconds of qualifying in Long Beach narrowly edging out Daniel Abt and e.dams-Renault team-mate Nicolas Prost.

Championship leader Nicolas Prost set the early pace to sit in provisional pole position in qualifying group two but was eventually eclipsed by the late runners in the final minutes of the session.

Abt looked set to start from the front of the grid with a quick lap following a red flag to clear the stricken Trulli car of Liuzzi but Buemi kept his cool to clock a 56.853s. The Swiss driver picks up three bonus points and has the best possible view down into Turn 1 as the lights go out later this afternoon.

Buemi said: “It looked like the track was getting quicker as more rubber was being laid down plus the temperatures were rising. I’m pleased with the result and also a little bit surprised. We will have to see how we get on in the race but for sure we’re starting from a good position. I’m not sure why I’m under investigation but we’ll just have to see."

The Audi Sport ABT driver claimed his highest qualifying spot of the season only a 0.084s shy of the polesitter.

He said: “That was a very tough qualifying session for us, especially after what happened in FP1. We didn’t have a lot of running in FP2 or FP3. I was happy just to be in top-10, so just incredible with this result. I’m very happy."

Buemi’s team-mate Prost will look to continue his strong run of podium finishes starting in P3. Prost said: “We’ll have to see what we can do in the race. It’s not a bad result and I did my best so I’m happy overall. It looked like the track was improving but I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved and how consistent we’ve been."

Below, is the provisional starting grid for today's Long Beach ePrix. A few drivers including pole winner Sebastien Buemi are under investigation for rules violations. We will pass along any information as we receive it.

1. Sebastien Buemi
2. Daniel Abt
3. Nicolas Prost
4. Nelson Piquet
5. Lucas di Grassi
6. Jean-Eric Vergne
7. Antonio Felix da Costa
8. Scott Speed
9. Jerome D'Ambrosio
10. Stephane Sarrazin
11. Sam Bird
12. Bruno Senna
13. Jarno Trulli
14. Jaime Alguersuari
15. Nick Heidfeld
16. Charles Pic
17. Loic Duval
18. Karun Chandhok
19. Salvador Duran
20. Vitantonio Liuzzi

04/04/15 Sebastien Buemi edged out Daniel Abt in the closing laps of qualifying to score his second Formula E pole today at the Long Beach ePrix. Buemi's e.dams-Renault teammate and series points leader Nicolas Prost was third with Nelson Piquet, Jr. fourth and Lucas di Grassi rounding out the top-five.

Full results to follow…