How does Formula E's Groups and Duels qualifying format work?

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How does Formula E's Groups and Duels qualifying format work?

In Season 8, we introduced a brand new qualifying format that created incredible drama and excitement before the race even started! Here's a quick refresher of how it works.

After practice, the next thing on the on-track agenda is qualifying. This lasts for just over an hour and follows a unique format which makes for some unbelievable action! 

READ MORE: Formula E's Rules and Regulations EXPLAINED!

First comes the Groups stage, which sees the grid split into two groups of 11 based on their Drivers' World Championship position. Here they have to battle at 300kW to set lap times in a 10-minute session, with the four fastest from each group progressing into the Duels stage. 

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Those eight will then face off in the quarter-finals, competing against one another head to head in a knockout at 350kW. This quarter-final lasts for 15 minutes, and sees the fastest four promoted into the semi-finals. The same process is undertaken for the semi-final, with the two quickest drivers on track making their way into the nail-biting final. 

WATCH: Catch every minute of Formula E Season 10 where you are

The winning driver of the final duel takes the Julius Baer Pole Position, while the runner-up lines up second. The semi-finalists will line up third and fourth, the quarter-finalists between fifth and eighth - according to their lap times.

The fifth to 12th-placed drivers who competed in the polesitter's group will fill the odd positions on the grid. The corresponding drivers from the other group will be classified in the even grid slots. So, if the polesitter comes from Group 1, the fifth placed driver in Group 1 will line up ninth on the starting grid and the fifth placed driver in Group 2 takes 10th and so on.

CALENDAR: The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship schedule

Since being introduced in Season 8, it’s provided us with so much entertainment! We love the Duels! 

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2024 São Paulo E-Prix Round 4

The São Paulo E-Prix gets underway on Friday 15 March with Free Practice 1 at 16:25 local time.

WATCH: How to watch or stream Formula E's Sao Paulo E-Prix where you are

Then it's on to race day on Saturday 16 March as Free Practice 2 kicks off the day at 07:25 local, qualifying follows at 09:40 local with lights out on Round 4 at 14:00 local/17:00 UTC.

View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.