Formula E - Miami, Qualifying: Nato takes his first pole position

For Formula E's return to Florida, it was Norman Nato (Nissan) who took pole position for the Miami E-Prix, beating Jake Dennis (Andretti) in the final. The championship's main protagonists, however, suffered.

Published 12/04/2025 à 17:04

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Miami – Qualifying: Nato takes his first pole position, the favorites are absent

A big first for Norman Nato! The Frenchman takes the first pole position of his career in Formula E by dominating the qualifying rounds for the Miami E-Prix in the United States! After a difficult start to the season (no points in the first four rounds), the Nissan driver stood out this Saturday by taking pole position ahead of Jake Dennis (Andretti), whom he beat in the final. Thus, the French driver earned the three points offered to the poleman, his first points in this Season 11. It took until the 54th attempt for the Cannes driver to secure his first pole position in the electric championship.

the moment @NatoNorman Secured Pole in Miami! 💪#MiamiEPrix pic.twitter.com/8wqTJDMGwQ

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) April 12, 2025

On the other hand, his teammate Oliver Rowland had a bad run in qualifying. The championship leader was eliminated in the group stage in Miami. Not in sight during Free Practice, the Nissan driver only set the 8th fastest time in his group, with a final aborted attempt after missing a brake at the chicane, and will therefore start from the eighth row, in 16th place, for the American round. His runner-up in the championship, Taylor Barnard (McLaren), also fell by the wayside before the duel phase with the 6th time in Group B. The Briton will start 11th.
More generally, all the favorites struggled this Saturday afternoon in Miami. Indeed, among the top eight drivers in the championship, only Antonio Félix da Costa (Porsche) – third in the Drivers' standings – was able to qualify for the duels. The Portuguese driver, beaten in the semi-final by Jake Dennis, will start in 3rd position.
So far, Florida has been a tough road for the Franco-American DS Penske team. Jean-Éric Vergne and Maximilian Günther, both in Group B, were eliminated in the group stage with disappointing times. The Frenchman set the ninth fastest time in his group, while the German only set the 9th and final fastest time. The two teammates will start at the back of the grid in Miami, for Team Penske's home race.
Before the start of the Miami E-Prix, the grid could still change as Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche), Maximilian Günther (DS Penske) and Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Penske) are currently under investigation for a potential Parc Fermé violation.