Wehrlein takes pole for first London E-Prix

Pascal Wehrlein secured pole position for the first part of the ABB Formula E world championship title decider, beating his Porsche teammate Nico Mueller in the final round of qualifying for the first race of the London E-Prix.

In a predictably anti-climactic Final, Mueller – who is mathematically in championship contention but is an unlikely true contender – lapped 1.143s slower than Wehrlein, who with the three points for pole, moves level with second placed Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing in the points and ensures the title will be decided on Sunday.

Wehrlein topped the first group session ahead of Cupra Kiro’s Dan Ticktum, Andretti’s Jake Dennis and Citroen’s Jean-Eric Vergne, then comprehensively beat Vergne in his first Duel. He then faced Porsche customer runner Ticktum in the Semifinals.

Ticktum made a mistake at Turn 10, then backed off in the final sector in a display of team orders to benefit the factory team. Ticktum had beaten championship leader Dennis in his first Duel, Dennis having got through to the head-to-heads despite contact with Nyck de Vries in the first group session, with the Mahindra driver getting in his way while the pair were on build laps at the start of the session.

Mueller similarly topped his group, then defeated Antonio Felix da Costa in his first head-to-head after the Jaguar driver made a mistake at Turn 16, allowing Mueller to claw it back in the final sector. 

In the Semifinals he crucially defeated Evans. Mueller was quicker in the first sector with Evans responding in the second, but a big push in the final sector – including a sideways moment on the run into Turn 16 – got it for Mueller. In the final, Mueller backed off in the final sector to hand the pole to Wehrlein, nevertheless helping Porsche to its first front row lockout of the season.

Behind the all-Porsche front row, Evans will start third with Ticktum fourth and Dennis fifth. Joel Eriksson will line up sixth for Envision Racing, with da Costa seventh and Vergne eighth as the last of the drivers who made it to the Duels. 

De Vries and Buemi will occupy the last two spots in the top 10, ahead of Citroen’s Nick Cassidy, DS Penske’s Taylor Barnard, and Edoardo Mortara who didn't advance to the Duels for Mahindra after backing out of his final fast lap following a mistake at Turn 16. 

Reigning champion Oliver Rowland will start 14th for Nissan, with Andretti’s Felipe Drugovich 15th and Kiro’s Pepe Marti 16th. Norman Nato (Nissan), Zane Maloney, Lucas di Grassi (both Lola Yamaha Abt), and Maximilian Guenther (DS Penske) – who completed few laps in his Group session after sustaining damage early on – round out the grid.

RESULTS