Sims takes maiden Formula E pole, Buemi out of title contention

Full qualifying results for the New York E-Prix (Race 2)

Alexander Sims has secured his first-ever Formula E pole position ahead of the 2018-2019 season finale, while yesterday’s winner Sebastien Buemi has been eliminated from the title picture after failing to take pole in New York.

The BMW i Andretti Motorsport driver topped the qualifying heats, meaning he went into the Superpole last, and duly converted his pace into pole position with a 1m 09.617s to displace Robin Frijns into second place for Envision Virgin Racing.

Moments earlier Frijns effectively ended Buemi’s title fight with the Swiss driver requiring pole position and the three extra championship points to mathematically stay in title contention.

Buemi, who took pole position and a lights-to-flag victory 24 hours earlier in the opening New York round, will start from third place for Nissan e.dams ahead of Sam Brid in the second Envision Virgin Racing.

Stoffel Vandoorne (HWA Racelab) and Daniel Abt (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) rounded out the Superpole contenders in fifth and sixth respectively.

With Buemi out of the title fight, it leaves just Jean-Eric Vergne to defend his 22-point lead over Lucas di Grassi along with Mitch Evans holding a faint chance 25 points behind Vergne with a total of 26 points left to score.

But Evans will start the 2018-2019 finale from the best position in eighth place for Panasonic Jaguar Racing, just behind Oliver Rowland in seventh for Nissan e.dams.

With Gary Paffett (HWA Racelab) and Edoardo Mortara (Venturi Formula E) qualifying on the fifth row, the two main title contenders take up row six with Audi’s di Grassi directly ahead of championship leader Vergne.