Credits: Formula E, Alastair Staley
The Formula E world championship was in Monaco for this weekends qualifying and it didn’t disappoint.
As we reach the season’s halfway point all eyes were on Pascal Wehrlein to see if he could keep his lead over Jake Dennis.
The two drivers are locked on 89 points with three points up for grabs to the driver that gets pole.
Wehrlein and Evans shine around Monaco streets
Mitch Evans incredible form around Monaco continued as the driver led the way in Group A.
The New Zealander loves driving this track and put in an early marker for the pole race later in the session.
It’s been a good week for the Jaguar team after they publicly confirmed their commitment to Formula E until 2030.
The bosses must have had a smile on their faces as Evans proved the cars got pace.
He was joined in the Duels by championship leader Wehrlein, Maserati driver, Guenther and Felix Da Costa.
Wehrlein made the Duels for the fifth consecutive race.
It was a hugely disappointing exit for Oliver Rowland. The Brit sits third in the standings but could only manage 9th around the streets of. Monaco.
He’ll have it all to do in the race.
In Group B the two Penske drivers made it through in 1st and 4th respectively.
Former McLaren man, Stoffel Vandoore was quickest while Jean-Éric Vergne snuck through into the duels.
Meanwhile Buemi joins the pair along with the other Jaguar, Nick Cassidy.
On the other hand, it was a shocker for the ‘Jake’s’ with Hughes and Cassidy been dumped out of Group B.
Cassidy will be particularly disappointed after a strong showing in Misano propelled him back into the championship fight.
The Duels
It was Evans v Da Costa in the first duel and the Kiwi, once again, came through with he fastest lap of the day so far.
Wehrlein joined him after a smooth lap sent his compatriot tumbling out of qualifying.
Gunther didn’t have the pace to keep uo with the Porsche driver on this occasion as Werhelin continued his scintillating qualifying form.
Cassidy’s QF lap was scrappy going deep at the Grand Hotel Hairpin. Incredibly, he found the pace in the closing stages to beat Buemi and book his place in the next round.
Former champion, Buemi, will be disappointed his could not capitalise on the mistake with the Jaguar going through.
Last up was the battle of the Penske drivers. An error at Mirabeau cost Verge dearly, It left the Frenchman with too much to do.
Despite clawing back three-tenths around the rest of the lap, it wasn’t enough, as Vandoorne became the last driver in the Semi Finals.
Jaguar fails to live up to early pace
Evans against Wehrlein was the standout battle with both drivers at the top of their game this weekend.
However, it was Wherein who came out on top, raising his game in the Semi-Finals.
Evans did his best to claw back the lap time but it sent him deep a the chicane and just like that his chances of pole were over.
The other heat was scrappy with both driver making errors during their laps.
Vandoore lost momentum up the hill after an error at Saint Devote. Meanwhile Cassidy slipped up in the second sector bringing the Belgian back into contention.
Eventually, Vandoorne prevailed setting up an encounter in the final with Wehrlein.
It gave the German a chance to pull out in front of the championship while Vandoorne was looking for a strong start to Saturday after poor season so far.
A disappointing Semi-Final for the Jaguar drives who appeared to have the pace to challenge for pole.
They’re both out before the final hurdle on this occasion.
Wehrlein extends championship lead
Vandoorne led the pair out for the final battle around Monaco.
Wehrlein was the clear favourite going into the session and he lived up to expectations.
The German looked composed throughout the lap and took pole by just under four-tenths of a second to pick up his third pole of the season.
It’s been a fantastic season so far for him and he has a chance to ease away from Dennis on a track that’s notoriously difficult to overtake.
As for Vandoorne, he just didn’t have enough, but the Belgian will be hoping to take hime some strong points later today.
Join us for the Monaco E-Prix which gets underway this afternoon.
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