First qualifying session of the Berlin E-Prix double-header. A wall didn’t prevent Edoardo Mortara to take pole in front of Pascal Wehrlein.
Sun was still bright in the sky as we were heading to the first qualifying session of that Berlin E-Prix. Full of surprises and record breaking, here’s everything you missed.
Group A
Mitch Evans was the first driver to go on track, quickly followed by all drivers of group A except for Pascal Wehrlein. Three preparation laps were recommended followed by two push laps. On the first prep lap, Felipe Drugovich had the best first and second sectors. He kept improving, with the benchmark time of 1:06.157. Pascal Wehrlein significantly improved on his first push lap, with a 1:02.820 but Felipe Drugovich seemed to be really at ease on track, doing a 58.647. The German driver responded with a 58.369.
With seconds on the clock, it was time for the drivers to give everything. Taylor Barnard made his personnel best sector 1. Pascal Wehrlein, confident in his time, didn’t even go out again. The DS Penske driver missed out duels for only 0.010 seconds, with Nick Cassidy taking fourth place at the last second. Jean-Éric Vergne was really disappointed as he said “I have no words […] I’m speechless.”
Qualified : Wehrlein, Drugovich, Rowland and Cassidy
Group B
Maximilian Günther was the first one to go on track for group B. Jake Dennis made a great time for his second preparation lap with a 1:04.915, quickly followed by Lucas Di Grassi on a 1:03.166. Some discussion about the strategy position happened between Günther and his ingenior. During that time, Lucas Di Grassi touched the wall at the exit of Turn 4, putting an end to his Qualifying session. Luckily, the car was next to an exit road so no red flag was called.
Nico Müller set the benchmark time with a 58.590, but Dan Ticktum improved a couple of seconds later. The last push lap was on its way and Dan Ticktum was still improving. The biggest surprise was Zane Maloney who improved his time and took P3 with a 58.542 time. He reached duels for the first time in Formula E.
Qualified : Ticktum, Mortara, Maloney and Müller
Quarter Finals
Rowland vs Drugovich
The reigning world champion went first. Unfortunately, Felipe Drugovich went a bit too wide into Turn 4, putting his hope to an end. Oliver Rowland made a 57.350 time.
Cassidy vs Wehrlein
Cassidy went first on track and Wehrlein seems to not be quick enough to catch the Kiwi driver. The German driver picked up the pace and even though it was really close between the both of them, he won the duel with only a 0.077 seconds margin.
Maloney vs Mortara
Pascal Wehrlein might have hinder Mortara on his preparation lap. No incident on the Swiss driver’s lap after as Zane Maloney missed the apex on Turn 3 and gave the advantage to his rival.
Müller vs Ticktum
Dan Ticktum showed his good pace, being the first and second best sector compared to Nico Müller. He won with a 0.405 margin as his rival also went a bit wide into Turn 2.
Semi finals
Wehrlein vs Rowland
Wehrlein was first to go and only 0.001 seconds separated the two of them at the end of sector 1. Rowland lost time on sector 2 and it ultimately gave the advantage to the home hero who made a 56.996 time, winning the duel.
Ticktum vs Mortara
Surprisingly, Edoardo Mortara took the upper hand and created a 0.315 margin after sector 2, increasing it to a 0.349 seconds. Dan Ticktum made a worse time than in the quarter finals.
Finals
Wehrlein vs Mortara
Mortara had a little moment with the wall previously that slightly damaged his car. It doesn’t prevent him to be 0.184 in front of Wehrlein after sector 1. Even though Pascal Wehrlein had a better sector 2 and 3, it was not enough for him to win. Mortara took pole position with a 56.886 seconds time. He became the driver with the most pole positions in Berlin.