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Pascal Wehrlein will start fourth in Brazil today, despite setting the best time in qualifying, after being given a three-place grid penalty for wheelspinning in the pit lane. The new sporting rule was introduced for Season 12, and has already caught out a few drivers with Antonio Felix da Costa (Jaguar TCS Racing) being given a reprimand for a similar offence during Free Practice 2 this morning.
The offence is deemed a breach of Article 23.18, which states: “Burnouts and wheelspins are forbidden in the pitlane. These will be monitored and reported to the Stewards.”
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This should have been Wehrlein’s third consecutive start from the first-place grid slot in São Paulo, but Jake Dennis takes that honour instead. Perhaps it will be a positive penalty for Wehrlein, as he keeps the three points and no driver has ever won the São Paulo E-Prix from the front-row in all three previous runnings.
For Oliver Rowland, who is now running the #1 proudly on his GEN3 Evo machine after being crowned champion in Berlin last season, will be forced to start in 13th for the Brazilian blockbuster event after an incident in the final race of Season 11.
The FIA, Formula E’s governing body, found Rowland guilty of causing a collision with Nico Müller after reviewing telemetry, video footage and hearing from both the drivers. It was seen that the two were battling for position along the main straight of the London Excel and both braked late into Turn 1.
“[Rowland] braked optimistically and left the track at the exit of Turn 1. Upon rejoining at turn 2, Rowland did so at a shallow angle and failed to adequately account for the presence of Müller ahead, leading to contact with the rear of Müller’s car.”
REPORT: Wehrlein takes pole in São Paulo but serves three-place penalty
After the qualifying session it was also revealed that home hero Lucas di Grassi will serve a three-place grid drop for his home race after failing to slow for a Red Flag in qualifying. After Felipe Drugovich clipped the barriers in his Andretti, Group B was brought to a stop to recover his machine. Both Lola Yamaha ABT drivers had a challenging qualifying with issues, but this moves di Grassi to 20th place ahead of his home race.
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix
Make sure you don't miss a moment, as we get ready to kickstart Season 12 with one of the best races of the year. It's lights out at 14:00 local time.
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