Fenestraz on pole with fastest-ever Formula E lap, Van der Linde withdraws from CT e-Prix

Sacha Fenestraz took his maiden Formula E pole position when he put his Nissan on pole for this afternoon's Cape Town e-Prix, while local hero Kelvin van der Linde had his hopes of competing at home cut short.

The Nissan driver is the second youngest-ever pole sitter in the sport's history after Daniel Abt was the youngest to do so in Long Beach 2015.

Fenestraz impressed throughout qualifying and got the better of his rivals to post the fastest lap of the weekend - 1:07.848 - which is also the quickest lap in Formula E yet in terms of average speed.

Van der Linde's dreams of participating in his home race took a downward turn when Mahindra announced that it was withdrawing its two cars and the two ABT Cupra racecars, with which Van der Linde was racing, from the race.

The manufacturer sighted a problematic rear suspension and opted not to risk its drivers' safety.

"I'm devastated, to be honest," Van der Linde explained to News24 Sport. "I was excited to get going, but I guess that's the way life works out."

South Africa’s very own @KelvinvdLinde devastated as his car has had to withdraw from @capetowneprix after manufacture cites issues (?? @kelchrstine ) pic.twitter.com/OFC7QHVEfi

An untimely end

During the second group stage battle in qualifying, Maserati's Edoardo Mortara put his car in the wall at Turn 9. Seconds later, Sam Bird's Jaguar suffered a similar fate, with the driver crashing into the same wall and into the Maserati.

Both drivers came away unscathed, but it left both teams with work to do if they want to have the cars ready to participate in this afternoon's race.

Championship leader and Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein continues to struggle around the Cape Town circuit, and will line up sixth for a race that will