Qualifying groups drawn in Paris

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Following two eventful free practice sessions around the bumpy streets of Paris, the 20 drivers are now preparing to give it their all in qualifying and compete for the coveted pole position. We have had five different pole sitters in five races, can anyone make it six?

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A mighty group one to kick off proceedings, with both ABT Schaefflers, Sebastien Buemi, Sam Bird and Stephane Sarrazin all in action.

Daniel Abt has taken one pole position in his Formula E career and it would have been a second in Mexico City were he not stripped of his qualifying times, while Lucas di Grassi took his maiden pole in Buenos Aires and after topping FP2 looks set to challenge for the top spot.

Buemi took his first pole of the season last time out in Monaco before going on to win the race, the FP1 pace-setter will have no other aim than making it two poles on the trot.

One of the fastest qualifiers in the field, Bird has three pole positions to his name in the series, but is yet to take his first of the season. Can the Englishman make it the sixth different pole sitter?

Last but not least, Sarrazin took his only pole position at Battersea Park in season one and hasn’t looked like troubling Super Pole so far this season, but with an improved Venturi package we could yet see the Frenchman at the sharp end.

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Formula E returnee Mike Conway will take on his first qualifying session of the season in group two, but faces an uphill challenge after a spin in FP2 left him down in P17.

Joining him will be Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans, who has already shown tremendous pace in qualifying this season and surely the next aim for the Kiwi will be to make his first appearance in Super Pole.

Jose Maria Lopez has been hugely impressive so far today, with a minor trip into the barrier put behind him as he finished second in both practice sessions. With the pace already shown by the Argentinian, Super Pole looks to be a must.

Hong Kong pole-sitter Nelson Piquet Jr will also contest group two and looks for yet another Super Pole appearance as he looks to make the most of his NextEV NIO machine.

Finally, Nico Prost hasn’t had the best time in qualifying so far this season and needs a turnaround in fortunes if he is to challenge at the front of the pack.

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Four previous pole-sitters help make up group three, in what could be considered the group to watch as Jerome d’Ambrosio, Felix Rosenqvist, Oliver Turvey and Jean-Eric Vergne are joined by Esteban Gutierrez, who has only had two outings so far.

d’Ambrosio took pole in Punta del Este and Mexico City last season, but in a Faraday Future Dragon Racing car that has been lacking this season, d’Ambrosio should be satisfied with a top ten grid slot.

Rosenqvist showed his true potential in Marrakesh as he trumped everyone to take pole and has shown impressive pace in practice, so could be a dark horse for a front row grid slot.

Turvey has been one of the stars of qualifying this season, the highlight coming in Mexico City when he took his maiden pole. A mistake on his flying lap in Monaco put pay to a strong result in the Principality and the Englishman will be going all out to make up for it.

Both Techeetah drivers will take part in group three, with Vergne looking for his fourth career pole position and maiden victory, while Gutierrez will aim to put together all the experience he can in order to attain the best grid slot possible.

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And finally in group four, Adam Carroll will wrestle his Panasonic Jaguar Racing machine around the Paris circuit. The Ulsterman has struggled so far in his Formula E career and should be content with a top ten grid slot.

Antonio Felix da Costa will also be in action in group four. He hasn’t featured much in practice, with both sessions seeing the Portuguese driver lingering in the bottom half of the timing screens. Team-mate Robin Frijns will join him in the final group, with both MS Amlin Andretti cars looking to make the most of their machinery and crack the top ten.

Series debutant Tom Dillmann drew group four in the lottery and will be looking to make the best of his car as he continues to acclimatise to Formula E. Judging by his practice pace, reaching the top ten might be a tall order for the reigning Formula V8 3.5 champion, but Dillmann is the sort of driver who can deliver when it matters most.

And last in group four, Mahindra Racing driver Nick Heidfeld is still to score his first pole position in Formula E. Both practice sessions seemed below-par for the German, but don’t be surprised to see him challenge for Super Pole.

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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