Was FE's new qualifying system a qualified success?

Stoffel Vandoorne and Jake Dennis did not physically stand back-to-back in the Diriyah paddock to take 10 paces, turn and fire. Yet, their duel for pole ahead of Formula E’s 2021-22 season opener was met with the same anticipation, trepidation and tension as a stand-off in a Western film – as 22 drivers were whittled down to the final two in the qualifying battle.

To continue the Wild West shoot-out metaphor, Vandoorne proved to be the driver with the itchiest trigger finger and claimed pole - while Dennis’s gun jammed at the final moment, leaving the Brit to recoil in presumed agony as Vandoorne blew the smoke away from his revolver’s barrel.

Formula E’s new qualifying system, when explained either by word of mouth or in carefully considered prose, sounds complex. There’s a multitude of permutations at play, especially since the eventual pole winner has an impact on where those eliminated in the group stages will start the race. But when played out on-screen, it’s deceptively simple. Four cars progress from each group and, from there, qualifying plays out in a nifty little tournament format.

Diriyah’s opening race was the first opportunity to see the new qualifying in action. There was something of a dress rehearsal in testing, but it didn’t really follow the format – it was largely for the TV crew to get their overlays and timing data in order. The qualifying session was the first proper run-through.

It was alright on the night. The preliminary group formats brought their own level of drama, and it’ll be even more action-packed when all of the following group sessions are sorted by championship position. Each group for the opening session, with one driver from each team in each group, was packed to the rafters with