Formula E – Nicolas Prost first pole-sitter in China

The first Formula E qualifying sessions have just ended in Beijing. Nicholas Cheers (e.dams) became the first pole sitter in the discipline at the China ePrix by clocking a time of 1’42”200. The Frenchman becomes the first leader of the Championship after collecting the three bonus points from pole. The Audi Sport Abt drivers were the closest to the pole-sitter. Lucas di Grassi is only a tenth behind, while Daniel Abt follows at two tenths with a few thousandths ahead of Karun Chandhok (Mahindra Racing).

Franck Montagny (Andretti Autosport) completes the top five three tenths behind, ahead of Nick Heidfeld (Venturi Formula) and Jaime Alguersuari (Virgin Racing) by a few hundredths. Charles Pic (Andretti Autosport) is in eighth place, more than half a second from pole, ahead of Sébastien Buemi (e.dams) and Nelson Piquet Jr (China Racing). Oriol Servia (Dragon Racing) took 11th position on the grid ahead of Sam Bird (Virgin Racing).

The gap widens behind since Jérôme d'Ambrosio (Dragon Racing) is 13th, being the first driver more than a second behind the reference time. The Belgian is ahead of Takuma Sato (Amlin Aguri), Ho-Pin Tung (China Racing) and Katherine Legge (Amlin Aguri). Michela Cerruti was the last to set a time, Jarno Trulli (Trulli), Bruno Senna (Mahindra Racing) and Stéphane Sarrazin (Venturi Formula) not having managed to set a time.

After a long period of uncertainty, Sébastien Buemi (e.dams) will finally be at the start but will only be able to take part in the first relay for the same reasons. Franck Montagny (Andretti Autosport) was penalized three places on the grid for the China ePrix in Beijing for cutting the line on the pit exit lane. The Frenchman will start from eighth place between his teammate Charles Pic and Sébastien Buemi (e.dams). Nick Heidfeld (Venturi) and Jaime Alguersuari (Virgin Racing) are the first to benefit. Bruno Senna, Lucas di Grassi and Katherine Legge will have the extra power granted thanks to FanBoost votes.

The start of the China ePrix in Beijing will be at 10 a.m. and will be followed live on Sport+.