Formula E has a unique qualifying session, but how does it work?
Formula E introduced the current qualifying format in 2o21. During the first six years of the championship, the drivers were divided into four groups and had six minutes to get the fastest lap. At the end of this first session phase, the top two of every group had access to the ‘Super Pole shoot-out’. The six best drivers completed one lap each on an empty track, with the fastest on track obtaining the pole position. The others filled the grid between second and fifth place. After Season 7, Formula E created a new format.
Formula E qualifying – The group stage
In Formula E there are twenty-two drivers, divided into eleven teams. However, during qualifying, they are not all on the track at the same time. The first part of qualifying sees the grid divided into two groups of eleven drivers each, called Group A and Group B. The division is based on the Drivers’ Championship standings. However, for the first round of the season, where the teams can decide in which group put their drivers. Usually, they decide to place them in different groups. The group stage sees the drivers on track for ten minutes at 220 kW. The best four drivers of each group are selected for the Duels. The rest of the drivers – who weren’t selected – fill the lowest parts of the starting grid.
Formula E qualifying – The Duels
The fastest eight drivers of the groups stage have access to the Duels. In this phase, drivers set laps in their Formula E cars at 250 kW. The driver who achieved the best time in Group A challenges the fourth driver of Group B in the first quarter-final. Each car completes one lap on the empty track, followed by the other. The other quarter-finals are between the second of Group A and the third of Group B, the third of Group A against the second of Group B, and the fourth of Group A against the first of Group B.
It doesn’t end there though. The winner of the first duel has to race against the winner in the second one. Consequently, the other semifinal sees the best drivers of the last two duels competing against each other.
In the end, the winners of the two semifinals have to challenge each other in the final. The fastest driver conquers the pole position. In Formula E there is a trophy dedicated to the pole sitter. It is called the ‘Julius Baer Pole Position’. A pole position earns the driver three championship points. This makes the electric championship one of the few categories that gives points during qualifying.
Meanwhile, the drivers eliminated during the duels composed the rest of the grid. The two semifinalists will start third and fourth, while the others will obtain a position from the fifth to the eighth position. Their lap times decide the order of the starting grid.
Qualifying lasts one hour. Each qualifying session anticipates every Formula E race. However, there is a unique situation in FE. During the double-header weekends, we see the drivers compete in two races. In such cases, two separate qualifying sessions are held.
