Formula E: Vandoorne on pole for 2nd Berlin race

With rumors that Mercedes is quitting Formula E, it’s ironic that Mercedes-EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne will start the BMW i Berlin E-Prix presented by CBMM Niobium Round 15 from Julius Baer Pole Position with Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams) joining him on the front row while Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing) lines up third and in the box seat – a real boost to his title chances.

Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) was left best of the rest of those right at the sharp end in the battle for the Drivers’ crown but found himself outside of the Super Pole cut-off.

The Brit starts a workable ninth, ahead of current standings leader Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ), who’ll line up 13th and Edo Mortara starts 11th with reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa (DS TECHEETAH) the next real protagonist down in 15th and Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler), who missed out on Super Pole by only 0.120 seconds, remarkably, starts 17th.
Vandoorne’s lap was clean and clinical, with the Belgian happy to recover from some procedural mistakes in qualifying yesterday. He feels they got the maximum out of the Silver Arrow 02 here.

Rowland joins the Belgian on the front row, just ahead of Evans, while Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims produced a storming lap, steering his M7Electro to fourth with an ultra-precise lap.

NIO 333’s Tom Blomqvist pulled the rabbit out of the hat in Group Qualifying to go fifth fastest. He doubled down on that impressive Group Qualifying lap with a tidy run to fifth in Super Pole.

Norman Nato (ROKiT Venturi Racing) had done exceptionally in Group Qualifying and had made the top six shootout, but a technical issue put paid to his chances of pole. He’ll start sixth.

Qualifying Results