Maximilian Gunther secured pole position in FE Qualifying for the 2025 Shanghai E-Prix Round 10. Gunther delivered a commanding performance throughout qualifying before capping the session with a win in the final duel against Taylor Barnard. It was an extremely tight session from start to finish, with tenths – and even hundredths of seconds separating some drivers.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Group Stages
Per regulations, the session began with the standard Group A and Group B split format.
In Group A, Gunther led the timesheets with a 1:09.939. He was followed to the duels by Jake Dennis, Nick Cassidy, and Oliver Rowland. Astonishingly, Antonio Felix da Costa, who had topped both practice sessions, failed to advance to the duels. Da Costa only managed ninth in Group A, and 17th overall, saying after the session that he struggled with front-end grip. “I just couldn’t make my front axle work.”
Group B was topped by standout rookie Taylor Barnard, who set the standard for the group with a 1:10.045. Also advancing to the duels from Group B were Nyck de Vries, Pascal Wehrlein, and David Beckmann. Beckmann surprised everyone with his P4 in Group B after struggling to set a decent time through most of the group’s session.
Duels
The Quarterfinals delivered tight battles with even faster lap times. Cassidy, with a 1:08.880, beat Dennis, who could only manage 1:09.088. Gunther was able to best Rowland by a margin of 0.286 seconds. Wehrlein narrowly eliminated de Vries, and Barnard carried his momentum to beat Beckmann.
In the semifinals, Gunther was able to beat Cassidy with a 1:08.494, and Barnard knocked Wehrlein out with a 1:08.503. Wehrlein stayed positive, saying, “I’m happy with P3. We’ve had good improvements since practice this morning.”
The Final Duel saw Gunther lay down the fastest lap of the session with a 1:08.234 to claim pole. Barnard tried to respond, but running wide and having slow exits on a couple of corners saw him post a 1:08.621.
FE Qualifying, 2025 Shanghai E-Prix in Their Words
Nick Cassidy, still recovering from illness and having missed earlier track time, was pleased with his carâs pace and said the session was a âpromising signâ heading into the weekend.
GĂŒnther reflected on his pole-winning effort, stating, âIâm really happy⊠I think we were fastest in every stage of Quali. Itâs only Quali, but itâs 3 points and a pole position.â
Barnard, who will also start on the front row, said, âWe were pretty decent in practice⊠nevertheless, starting on the front row⊠Iâm still pretty happy. Starting out front, youâre out of the chaos.â
*
That’s a wrap on FE qualifying for the 2025 Shanghai E-Prix Round 10. Catch the race at 3:05 p.m. local time.
Feature Image Credit: Formula E Media Centre
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.