Qualifying: Sims beats Vandoorne to Race 1 pole

Alexander Sims has triumphed in the opening qualifying session of the year, beating Stoffel Vandoorne by almost three-tenths of a second in Super Pole in Saudi Arabia. 

The Briton set a lap time of 1:14.563, running as the second driver in the final stage of qualifying. However, the four drivers that set times after him couldn't better his time, allowing the BMW driver to take his second career pole.

Mercedes was the only team to get both of its cars into Super Pole, with Vandoorne securing a front row start for the German squad.

His teammate Nyck de Vries was third, and looked to be challenging Sims for pole before he lost half a second in the final sector.

Despite being part of the second qualifying group, Sam Bird's lap time was enough to see him through to Super Pole - although on his last lap, he made a mistake early on, which put him out of contention.

The Envision Virgin racer placed himself into fifth place ahead of Jerome D'Ambrosio, who was the slowest of the Super Pole drivers. 

Porsche's debut qualifying session in Formula E saw it just miss out on Super Pole, as Andre Lotterer, who has made the switch from Techeetah for the season, just missed the cut in his group.

Lotterer will line-up in seventh place for the start of the ePrix, ahead of Oliver Rowland, Maximilian Gunther and Oliver Turvey.

Reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne was part of the first qualifying group, and therefore suffered with a slippery track. 

The Frenchman's fastest time was enough to secure him 11th on the starting grid in front of season five championship rival Robin Frijns and Mahindra's Pascal Wehrlein.

In group three, Nico Mueller and James Calado both hit the wall at the same point just moments apart - putting both of them out of the session.

Brendon Hartley's session was a difficult one due to the lack of running that he had during the opening two practice sessions. The Kiwi could only manage the 18th fastest time. 

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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