Sebastien Buemi’s sensational start to the 2015-2016 FIA Formula E season continued on Saturday as he secured pole position for the Putrajaya ePrix.
Buemi dominated both the heats and the final Superpole stage of qualifying, producing a final lap of 1:20.196 to take his fifth pole in Formula E by almost half a second.
The Renault e.dams driver kicked off the second Formula E campaign in Beijing with a perfect weekend, claiming pole, the fastest lap and the race win to rack up the maximum total of 30 points.
Now, he has given himself a golden opportunity to do the same again after storming to pole with a peerless lap around the Putrajaya street circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Stephane Sarrazin emerged as Buemi’s most serious challenger, leading Venturi’s charge en route to second in both the first stage and Superpole leg of qualifying. Loic Duval also impressed, finishing third for Dragon Racing.
Despite using the season one powertrain, Team Aguri enjoyed a successful qualifying session as Antonio Felix da Costa finished fourth ahead of Nicolas Prost, who will start fifth after an error-strewn final lap.
An error for season one title contender Lucas di Grassi cost him a place in the final shoot-out for pole, leaving him sixth on the grid for the start.
There was worse news for defending champion Nelson Piquet Jr. though as he toiled to 16th place on the grid, only ahead of NEXTEV TCR teammate Oliver Turvey and Andretti driver Simona de Silvestro.
So here are the standings after qualifying. Next stop... #RaceTime! pic.twitter.com/BPQ43nBc1k
— Avalanche Andretti FE 🔺 (@AndrettiFE) November 7, 2015