Formula E in Sao Paulo: The qualifying groups at a glance

The first qualifying session of the twelfth Formula E season is about to begin. The previous qualifying format will remain in place for the season opener in Sao Paulo and the drivers will be divided into two groups. The groups are very evenly balanced and, unlike last year, only contain ten drivers each instead of eleven. The reason for this is the withdrawal of McLaren. While we have the reigning world champion Oliver Rowland as the favourite in Group A, the record pole setter from Brazil, Pascal Wehrlein, and the record race winner, Mitch Evans, are the favourites in Group B.

In the first race of the season, one driver from each team will start in Group A and one driver in Group B. The aim here is to make it into the top 4 of the respective group, as these positions qualify the drivers for the duel phase. There, two drivers will compete against each other in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, fighting for pole position and the first three championship points. The following groups will be formed for the qualifying on Sunday