In a gripping display of skill and strategy, Alexander Sims once again demonstrated his qualifying prowess, securing pole position for the second Formula E race in Diriyah. The BMW Andretti driver, who had started from the front grid slot on Friday but couldn’t convert it into a win, proved his mettle by mastering the challenging desert circuit, even enduring a dramatic four-wheel slide during his crucial Super Pole lap to clinch the coveted top spot.
The conditions for Saturday’s qualifying sessions were markedly different from the previous day, a fact many drivers were quick to point out. A full day of electric racing, encompassing both Formula E and Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy sessions, had churned up a significant amount of sand from the surrounding desert. This accumulation transformed the track, presenting a new set of variables and demanding fresh adaptive strategies from every competitor. Drivers had to recalibrate their approach, navigating a surface that was evolving with each passing minute, making consistency and precision more critical than ever.
Qualifying Group 1: Navigating the Evolving Track
The opening qualifying group faced a track that, while still tricky, had begun to show signs of a nascent racing line. Unlike yesterday, where the championship’s top drivers in Group 1 were severely hampered by pristine, dust-laden asphalt, today offered a slightly more consistent surface for this initial batch of contenders. This emerging racing line, though narrow, allowed drivers to push harder, leading to an immediate improvement in lap times across the board.
Sam Bird, driving for Envision Virgin Racing, continued his strong form from Friday by topping the first group. He laid down an impressive lap, narrowly beating Porsche’s André Lotterer by a tenth and a half. The Mercedes-Benz EQ team, having made a sensational debut from a lower qualifying group the previous day, discovered the inherent challenges of running early on the evolving track. Stoffel Vandoorne managed a respectable third, but teammate Nyck De Vries suffered a significant time loss in the final sector after a noticeable slide, losing over a second and underlining the fine margins present on the Diriyah circuit. Despite De Vries describing his lap as “really poor,” the overall improvement in track conditions meant his time would still have surprisingly beaten yesterday’s Super Pole benchmark, highlighting just how much faster the circuit had become.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Bird | Virgin | 1’12.007 |
| 2 | Andre Lotterer | Porsche | 1’12.153 |
| 3 | Stoffel Vandoorne | Mercedes | 1’12.422 |
| 4 | Robin Frijns | Virgin | 1’12.454 |
| 5 | Oliver Rowland | Nissan EDams | 1’12.660 |
| 6 | Nyck de Vries | Mercedes | 1’14.082 |
Qualifying Group 2: Pushing the Limits
As the second group took to the track, the racing line became even more pronounced, allowing for further improvements in lap times. The pace intensified dramatically, with Friday’s pole-sitter Alexander Sims and Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans both diving below the 1:12 mark, registering times reminiscent of the practice sessions. This indicated a growing confidence among drivers as they became more acquainted with the circuit’s current state and the optimal line for maximum speed.
However, the desert track remained unforgiving. Even with a clearer racing line, venturing even slightly off it proved costly. Felipe Massa, driving for Venturi, and Mahindra Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein both saw their lap times compromised by minor errors, underscoring the delicate balance required. In a testament to raw determination, Jérôme D’Ambrosio of Mahindra Racing managed to post the fastest time in this group, despite a harrowing moment where he slid into the wall, impacting his rear-left wheel. His ability to recover and still deliver such a rapid lap highlighted his resilience and the robust nature of the Formula E machinery under duress.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerome D’Ambrosio | Mahindra | 1’11.835 |
| 2 | Alexander Sims | BMW Andretti | 1’11.858 |
| 3 | Mitch Evans | Jaguar | 1’11.972 |
| 4 | Edordo Mortara | Venturi | 1’12.008 |
| 5 | Pascal Wehrlein | Mahindra | 1’12.635 |
| 6 | Felipe Massa | Venturi | 1’12.656 |
Advert: Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free
Qualifying Group 3: Da Costa’s Dominance
Despite being composed largely of front-running cars and expected to show substantial gains, the third qualifying group didn’t see as dramatic an improvement in lap times as the previous session. Nevertheless, DS Techeetah’s António Félix da Costa, who had already topped the single free practice session earlier in the morning, delivered a truly exceptional performance. He put in the fastest time of the entire group stage, shaving a significant four-tenths off D’Ambrosio’s previous best lap. This remarkable effort showcased his exceptional pace and familiarity with the Diriyah circuit. Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi also demonstrated strong form, setting a sufficiently quick time to secure his place in the highly anticipated Super Pole shootout, ensuring another championship contender would fight for the front row.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio Felix da Costa | DS Techeetah | 1’11.418 |
| 2 | Lucas di Grassi | Audi Abt | 1’11.939 |
| 3 | Maximilian Guenther | BMW Andretti | 1’12.051 |
| 4 | Oliver Turvey | NIO | 1’12.671 |
| 5 | Neel Jani | Porsche | 1’12.732 |
| 6 | James Calado | Jaguar | 1’13.430 |
Qualifying Group 4: Challenges and Triumphs
Reigning champion Jean-Éric Vergne of DS Techeetah was enduring a particularly challenging weekend in Diriyah. His Friday race was cut short by a critical car failure that effectively froze his steering column, forcing his team to work tirelessly past curfew to identify and rectify the complex issue. His woes continued into Saturday when he suffered a heavy crash during the third practice session, an impact severe enough to warrant further examination for both Vergne and his car’s battery, curtailing any further running in the session. Given these significant setbacks, his ability to piece together a lap that placed him 11th in the group standings was widely regarded as a commendable effort under immense pressure.
Nissan e.dams driver Sébastien Buemi, who also retired from yesterday’s race due to a technical problem, bounced back with a much stronger performance. He put in a significantly improved lap, securing a crucial spot in the Super Pole contest and demonstrating his determination to recover from the previous day’s disappointment. Meanwhile, the Dragon Racing team found themselves in dire straits. Their previous day’s race was compromised by Nico Müller’s inability to start and Brendon Hartley’s cascade of technical issues leading to penalties. In this session, both Dragon drivers visibly struggled to control their cars, finishing nearly two seconds off the front-running times, indicating deeper challenges for the American squad.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastien Buemi | Nissan EDams | 1’11.774 | |
| 2 | Jean-Eric Vergne | DS Techeetah | 1’12.327 | |
| 3 | Daniel Abt | Audi Abt | 1’12.642 | |
| 4 | Brendon Hartley | Dragon | 1’13.182 | |
| 5 | Ma Qinghua | NIO | 1’12.205 | |
| 6 | Nico Mueller | Dragon | 1’13.703 |
Advert: Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free
Super Pole: Sims’ Masterclass
The Super Pole session pitted the fastest six drivers against each other in a thrilling single-lap showdown for pole position. Mitch Evans was the first driver to venture out, delivering a convincing but not groundbreaking lap that set a solid benchmark for the contenders that followed. Lucas di Grassi then took to the track, putting in a stronger effort that saw him improve upon Evans’ time, showcasing his consistent pace.
However, Alexander Sims, known for his raw speed, was in a league of his own. From the outset, he was several tenths up on both Evans and di Grassi, carving out a significant advantage as he pushed his BMW iFE.20 through the demanding corners. Carrying immense pace, Sims found himself in a spectacular four-wheel slide as he reached the third sector. Yet, demonstrating remarkable car control and composure, he expertly caught the car, maintaining his momentum and power down the final straight. His finishing time, faster than all but Da Costa in the group stages, looked almost certainly destined for at least a front-row start.
Sébastien Buemi then attempted to challenge Sims, coming close but ultimately falling short of the Briton’s blistering pace. The session, however, took a turn for the worse for both Jérôme D’Ambrosio and António Félix da Costa. D’Ambrosio’s Mahindra, still bearing the effects of his earlier impact with the wall, proved uncooperative, making it difficult for him to extract maximum performance. Da Costa, on the other hand, made costly errors, hitting dust twice and sliding wide, which resulted in a scrappy lap that would have placed him dead last had it occurred in the group stages. This sequence of events cemented Alexander Sims’ incredible achievement, confirming his second pole position in Diriyah and his third consecutive pole since the close of the previous season, underscoring his rising dominance in the qualifying arena.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Sims | BMW Andretti | 1’11.476 |
| 2 | Sebastien Buemi | Nissan EDams | 1’11.696 |
| 3 | Lucas di Grassi | Audi | 1’11.784 |
| 4 | Mitch Evans | Jaguar | 1’11.929 |
| 5 | Jerome D’Ambrosio | Mahindra | 1’12.093 |
| 6 | Antonio Felix da Costa | DS Techeetah | 1’14.134 |
Post-Qualifying Penalties
Following the intense Super Pole session, Jean-Éric Vergne received a significant penalty. Due to the severe crash earlier in the day during Free Practice 3, a mandated battery change was required for his DS Techeetah car. This violation resulted in a 20-place grid drop for the race. As he was unable to fully fulfill this penalty on the grid, the remainder was converted into a 10-second time penalty to be applied during the race itself, further compounding a challenging weekend for the reigning champion.
Formula E Insights and Updates
The Diriyah E-Prix qualifying delivered a blend of high drama, exceptional skill, and unexpected twists, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling second race. Alexander Sims’ consecutive pole positions not only highlight his individual brilliance but also demonstrate BMW Andretti’s strong performance early in the season. As the grid prepares for battle, the evolving track conditions, strategic decisions, and the intense competition among the drivers will undoubtedly make for a captivating spectacle in the world of electric motorsport.
For more detailed analyses and the latest news from the world of electric racing, explore our dedicated Formula E section.
- McLaren to quit Formula E at end of season
- Wehrlein beats Jaguar pair to title in dramatic Formula E finale
- Wehrlein’s London win sets up thrilling three-way title showdown in finale
- Da Costa takes hat-trick of wins in chaotic second Portland race
- Da Costa inherits Portland win from Evans after Cassidy spins lead away
Browse all Formula E articles