Felix Rosenqvist gave his hopes of taking third place in the 2016/17 Formula E Championship a huge boost by taking the Julius Baer Pole Position for this afternoon’s Hydro-Quebec Montreal ePrix.
The Mahindra driver earned three bonus points for his third pole of the year to close in on Sam Bird in the fight for third in the drivers’ standings. And it was his rival he had to beat in the qualifying session too, as the DS Virgin Racing driver set the pace the in the group stages.
But despite setting the fastest time through the opening sector in Super Pole, Bird made a mistake later in the lap and had to settle for second.
In the fight for the main prize, there was yet more bad news for Sebastien Buemi. After getting a tough draw in Group 1, Buemi was always going to struggle to make Super Pole, but a lock-up into Turn 1 ruined his chances before the lap had barely begun. He eventually ended up 14th, which will become 13th when Nico Prost’s penalties are applied.
Di Grassi made it into Super Pole, but he too ran wide into the first turn, ruining his chances of pole. But he’ll start from fifth on the grid and if he finishes there, he will be champion regardless of where Buemi ends up.
Jean-Eric Vergne was third fastest for TECHEETAH, while Nick Heidfeld was fourth for Mahindra. Daniel Abt only just missed out on Super Pole and lines up sixth, while Prost was seventh fastest although he’ll start from the back of the grid. This will promote Tom Dillmann to a career best seventh for Venturi.
The race takes place at 4pm (local time).
Hydro-Quebec Montreal ePrix Qualifying results
1 Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra 1:22.344
2 Sam Bird, DS Virgin Racing 1:22.559
3 Jean-Eric Vergne, TECHEETAH 1:22.769
4 Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra 1:23.041
5 Lucas di Grassi, Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport 1:23.557
6 Daniel Abt, Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport 1:22.694
7 Nico Prost, Renault e.dams 1:22.721
8 Tom Dillmann, Venturi 1:22.822
9 Nelson Piquet Jr, NextEV NIO 1:22.972
10 Stephane Sarrazin, TECHEETAH 1:23.057
11 Jerome D’Ambrosio, Faraday Future Dragon 1:23.058
12 Jose Maria Lopez, DS Virgin Racing 1:23.313
13 Loic Duval, Faraday Future Dragon Racing 1:23.337
14 Sebastien Buemi, Renault e.dams 1:23.372
15 Antonio Felix da Costa, Andretti 1:22.413 Racing 1:23.635
16 Robin Frijns, Andretti 1:23.655
17 Oliver Turvey, NextEV NIO 1:23.709
18 Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing 1:23.755
19 Maro Engel, Venturi 1:23.811
20 Adam Carroll, Panasonic Jaguar Racing 1:24.024