12/04/2025 17:05
Norman Nato stunned the Formula E paddock to claim pole position
for the Miami E-Prix after defeating Jake Dennis in the final
duel. Nato demonstrated exceptional pace at the Homestead-Miami
Speedway to deny Andretti a home pole and secure himself his first
points of the season. Antonio Felix da Costa and Robin Frijns form
the second row. In a huge shock, championship leader Oliver Rowland
was eliminated in the group stage of qualifying, as was his current
closest rival Taylor Barnard. Reigning world champion Pascal
Wehrlein was another big name out in the group stage, whilst
Jaguar's woes continued with its drivers having suffered the same
fate. Duels It was a final which represented two drivers in need of
a big result, with both Dennis and Nato having endured difficult
starts to Season 11. For Dennis, there was the additional pressure
of it being Andretti's home race. Nato had a small advantage
through the first sector following a poor first corner for Dennis,
before Nato found more pace in sector two. As the duo crossed the
line to complete their laps, Dennis had no answer for Nato, who
stormed to pole and his first points of the season after setting a
1m 23.037. To make the final, Dennis defeated factory Porsche
driver da Costa, whilst he beat Stoffel Vandoorne in the quarter
finals. As for Nato, he beat Robin Frijns in the semi-finals and
Lucas di Grassi in the duels. Shortly before Nato and Di Grassi's
quarter-final, the Brazilian driver was placed under investigation
for a pit lane infringement. The other two quarter finals saw Da
Costa defeat David Beckmann and Frijns beat Nyck de Vries in an
all-Dutch duel. Interestingly, Dennis' 1m 23.000 in the quarter
finals was the quickest time in qualifying. Group stage As always
in the group stage the drivers only had 300kW of power available,
before it increases to 350kW in the duels. The sun was blazing as
the first group started, with the temperature having rapidly
increased. Championship leader Rowland featured in the group, as
well as Da Costa, Dennis and Mitch Evans. Due to the abrasive
surface and hot temperatures, the drivers completed three build
laps before starting to push. The unusual session threw up a huge
shock, as Rowland was eliminated along with Evans. Da Costa topped
the group on a 1m 24.796, ahead of Vandoorne, Dennis and Beckmann.
Three of the drivers who progressed has Porsche powertrains. Group
two featured McLaren sensation Taylor Barnard, who was fastest in
second practice. It also featured reigning world champion Wehrlein
and Nick Cassidy. It started with confusion, as Wehrlein and both
DS Penske drivers were placed under investigation for a pit lane
infringement. Again, several build laps were required before a late
flurry of fast times. In a huge surprise, Frijns went quickest on a
1m 24.756, ahead of an even bigger shock in Lola ABT's Di Grassi.
Nato and De Vries completed the top four to progress to the duels,
as Wehrlein, Barnard and Cassidy were all eliminated.
