Sette Camara: Harder for smaller Formula E teams to surprise with new quali format

The all-electric single-seater championship ditched its oft-criticised group qualifying format for a knockout system – in which the opening two groups of running can put together three or four hot laps to try and reach the duels stage, rather than the single-lap allowance in the old arrangement.

Universally praised by Formula E’s drivers, the new system has reduced the advantage that those running in the fourth group received due to track evolution.

However, since teams such as NIO 333 and Dragon were often locked into the fourth group, it means they face a bigger struggle to make it into the top four of each group and join the duels.

ANALYSIS: Was FE's new qualifying system a qualified success?

In the three qualifying sessions so far in the 2021-22 season, Sette Camara has flirted with the top four of his group – but has been unable to maintain the degree of pace to keep his car in duels contention.

“I think it's so difficult in a qualifying session this year to surprise because everyone has three laps to four laps, and the power is not so high,” said Sette Camara.

“So everyone puts a really good lap in. Last year, you had only had one lap at 250, so you could do something different and try putting a really good lap, and this year's a lot tougher.

“I think just everyone did awesome laps in qualifying.

"I was like just one-tenth shy [in Mexico] of being high up but it didn't happen. So for me it's very, very tight and just didn't do enough to qualify.”

Sette Camara felt that if he was able to overcome the small deficit he faced in his group, he could have qualified well within the midfield.

Dan Ticktum, NIO 333, NIO 333 001, battles with Sergio Sette Camara, Dragon Penske Autosport, Penske EV-5

Photo by: Carl Bingham /