Qualifying | FE | Round 10 | Shanghai E-Prix | Günther claims second pole of 2025

After FP2 earlier on Saturday, the drivers were ready for the Qualifying of the 2025 FE Shanghai E-Prix. While Antonio Felix Da Costa set the fastest lap in FP2, the Nissan duo struggled to find form, with championship leader Oliver Rowland finishing at the bottom of the timesheets. With Mitch Evans handed a grid penalty and starting from the back, the battle for pole position remained wide open. Strategy will play a key role in the race, with both Attack Mode and Pit Boost available to the drivers.

Group A

laps around the circuit. The two Andrettis looked quick early on, with Jake Dennis and Nico Müller topping the timesheets with six minutes to go. As the session progressed, the rest of the group began finding pace, and Jake Hughes briefly took P1 with a strong push lap.

With three minutes left, all eleven drivers returned to the track to attempt one final flying lap. As the chequered flag waved, the battle intensified. In the end, Maximilian Günther, Jake Dennis, Nick Cassidy, and Oliver Rowland progressed to the Duels.

Eliminated from Group A: Jake Hughes, Edoardo Mortara, Nico Müller, Norman Nato, Antonio Felix da Costa, Zane Maloney, Sébastien Buemi

Group B

Group B rolled out for their Qualifying session shortly after. Lucas di Grassi had to limp back to the pits with damaged tyres after sliding off-track, and with six minutes remaining, most drivers had yet to set a representative lap. Tyres weren’t warming up properly, but rookie Taylor Barnard managed to post the fastest time with three and a half minutes to go.

Despite his strong lap, Barnard’s time of 1:10.100 meant the entire Group B was slower than Group A. Defending Shanghai winner Jean-Éric Vergne failed to make it through, and Dan Ticktum aborted his final lap. Barnard, Nyck de Vries, Pascal Wehrlein, and David Beckmann advanced to the Duels.

Eliminated from Group B: Jean-Éric Vergne, Sam Bird, Stoffel Vandoorne, Robin Frijns, Mitch Evans, Lucas di Grassi, Dan Ticktum

Quarter Finals

Nick Cassidy vs. Jake Dennis

The first Duel of the weekend saw Cassidy and Dennis go head-to-head. Although Dennis has been a regular Duel participant this season, it marked Cassidy’s first in 2025. Cassidy began his lap slightly ahead and quickly built a gap as Dennis struggled in the early sectors. Despite a strong final sector from Dennis, Cassidy held on to reach his first Semi-Final of the season.

Oliver Rowland vs. Maximilian Günther

Rowland got an early jump on Günther, but a mistake over the kerbs cost him time. Günther capitalised and pulled away to secure a place in the Semi-Final, eliminating the current championship leader.

Pascal Wehrlein vs. Nyck de Vries

Wehrlein started slightly ahead, with de Vries close behind. Although de Vries pushed hard, he struggled with grip and Wehrlein edged him out by just a tenth of a second.

David Beckmann vs. Taylor Barnard

Beckmann launched his lap behind Barnard and looked to close the gap, but Barnard showed remarkable pace. The rookie clocked the fastest lap of the Duels so far, comfortably advancing to the Semi-Finals.

Semi Finals

Nick Cassidy vs. Maximilian Günther

Cassidy led Günther onto the lap, hoping to secure his first pole since London 2024. But Günther quickly closed the gap and posted a cleaner, faster run. He advanced to the Final, ending Cassidy’s chances of pole in Shanghai.

Taylor Barnard vs. Pascal Wehrlein

For the second semi-final, the current world champion, Wehrlein, went against rookie Barnard. While Barnard started ahead of Wehrlein, the Porsche Driver was not far behind. Barnard, however, finished the Semi Final with the fastest lap of the Duels so far during the Formula E Shanghai E-Prix.

Final: Taylor Barnard vs. Maximilian Günther

Could Barnard gift himself an early birthday present by securing pole for Race 1 of the Shanghai E-Prix? Already the youngest polesitter in Formula E history, Barnard had his sights set on breaking Günther’s record as the youngest E-Prix winner.

Barnard began his final lap behind Günther, but a wide moment at Turn 7 cost him valuable time. Günther capitalised, extended the gap, and crossed the line to secure his second pole position of the 2025 season.

Provisional Classification

1. Maximilian Günther
2. Taylor Barnard
3. Pascal Wehrlein
4. Nick Cassidy
5. Nyck De Vries
6. Oliver Rowland
7. Jake Dennis
8. David Beckmann
9. Jake Hughes
10. Jean Eric Vergne
11. Edoardo Mortara
12. Sam Bird
13. Nico Müller
14. Stoffel Vandoorne
15. Norman Nato
16. Robin Frijns
17. Antonio Felix Da Costa
18. Mitch Evans
19. Zane Maloney
20. Lucas di Grassi
21. Sébastien Buemi
22. Dan Ticktum