TAG Heuer Porsche’s Andre Lotterer says Formula E’s new qualifying format has brought ‘less randomness’

TAG Heuer Porsche’s Andre Lotterer believes the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s new qualifying format has enhanced the spectacle for fans, but admits frustrations in his own race performance. The 40-year-old was speaking ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City E-Prix, in which the Net Zero Carbon Championship returns to the iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit after a two-year absence. Ad/> Formula E’s new ‘Champions League style’ qualifying format sees two groups of 11 drivers, ordered based on their Championship position, set lap times in a 12-minute session.

The fastest four from each group then progress into the knockout stage where the winning driver takes pole. Valencia ePrix'I am so happy' — Britain's Dennis wins first Formula E title in Valencia25/04/2021 AT 13:38 Lotterer, a vastly experienced racer whose portfolio includes three victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship Driver’s Championship, reached the knockout stage for both races of the season-opening Diriyah E-Prix double header. “It is a really entertaining format,” said Lotterer, who qualified fourth and fifth over the opening weekend.

“It is more representative of everyone’s individual performance, with less randomness due to the group effect and track conditions which we tried to eliminate when we had discussions about changing this. “With the first group, you have the option to bank a lap and test the conditions and to find more rhythm, and it seemed to work for me in the duels. The duels are entertaining for everyone I think – especially the spectators – with the elimination process.