Evans claims maiden Formula E pole in Zurich, Vergne 17th
Mitch Evans sealed his and Jaguar’s first-ever FIA Formula E pole position for the inaugural Zurich E-Prix, with 2017-2018 points leader Jean-Eric Vergne just 17th.
The Kiwi, whose previous best qualifying result was third in Rome, sealed his maiden Formula E pole around the Zurich Street Circuit in the first motor racing event to take place in Switzerland since 1954.
Mitch Evans sealed his and Jaguar’s first-ever FIA Formula E pole position for the inaugural Zurich E-Prix, with 2017-2018 points leader Jean-Eric Vergne just 17th.
The Kiwi, whose previous best qualifying result was third in Rome, sealed his maiden Formula E pole around the Zurich Street Circuit in the first motor racing event to take place in Switzerland since 1954.
His Superpole effort - a 1:12.811s - saw Evans beat Techeetah’s Andre Lotterer in the squabble for a maiden FE pole by 0.137s, despite lapping at a slower pace than he managed during the qualifying heats, having previously posted a 1:12.594s.
Sam Bird, who headed into the Zurich event 40 points adrift of championship leader Vergne, missed out on pole by just over 0.2s. But with his chief title rival starting 17th following a disastrous session, the DS Virgin driver will have the opportunity to claw back some vital points in the race later today.
There was a strong showing from the Dragon Racing squad as both drivers made it into the Superpole shootout for the first time this campaign, with Jerome d’Ambrosio leading teammate Jose Maria Lopez to the fourth-quickest time.
Reigning champion Lucas di Grassi missed out on a spot in Superpole by a 0.1s, with home-favourite Sebastien Buemi just 0.019s further back in seventh.
Nico Prost will share the fourth row of the grid alongside his Renault e.dams teammate after an improved qualifying showing in Zurich, with Berlin winner and recently re-signed Audi driver Daniel Abt ninth ahead of Mahindra’s Felix Rosenqvist, who rounded out the top 10.
Nelson Piquet was unable to match his Jaguar’s teammate’s pace as he ended up 11th quickest, with the second DS Virgin car of Alex Lynn set to line up from 12th on the grid.
Mahindra’s Nick Heidfeld pipped Edoardo Mortara by just 0.08s for 13th, while Antonio Felix da Costa headed Andretti teammate Stephane Sarrazin in 15th.
Championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne described his qualifying effort as a “nightmare lap” as he ended up a lowly 17th - his lowest starting position of the entire 2017-18 campaign. The Techeetah driver is also under investigation for beginning his full power 200kw lap too early.
Maro Engel was 18th quickest for Venturi, while the NIO squad suffered a disappointing qualifying with Luca Filippi and Briton Oliver Turvey - who failed to seal a top-10 spot for just the second time in the last 15 races - propping up the final row of the grid, 1s off the pace in the qualifying heats.
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