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Nick Cassidy captured pole position for the second race of the Shanghai Formula E E-Prix after a dramatic and weather-disrupted qualifying session at the Shanghai International Circuit on June 1.
Torrential rain throughout the day forced organizers to delay the start of qualifying by 45 minutes, leaving drivers and teams waiting for safe conditions as puddles gathered around the famous venue.
With the track remaining treacherously wet, officials opted to use only the group stages to decide the starting grid. This unusual decision meant that the top times from each group were crucial, as the fastest group would fill the odd-numbered grid positions and the other the even slots.
Cassidy, driving for Jaguar, made the most of his opportunity by clocking the quickest lap in the first group. He posted a 1:31.305, edging out reigning world champion Pascal Wehrlein, Jake Hughes, and Nyck de Vries, who spun during the tricky session.
As conditions appeared to improve mid-session, lap times dropped, but heavy rain returned just before the end of Group A. That left Cassidy with a tense wait to see if his lap would be enough to start from the front.
The start of Group B quickly showed increasing difficulty, as rain made the track slick and several drivers lost control. Sebastien Buemi suffered a reported technical failure, forcing the session to be stopped with four minutes left on the clock.
When racing resumed, the rainfall intensified, and another red flag brought the qualifying session to a halt for good.
Antonio Felix da Costa, who topped the second group, claimed a front row start but could not better Cassidyโs time. Lucas di Grassi secured fourth on the grid.
For championship leader Oliver Rowland, the session ended in disappointment with a 17th-place start, putting his title hopes on the back foot heading into race day. His struggle echoes challenges faced by other title contenders amid tough conditions, similar to the pressures described in Verstappenโs F1 title battle.
Heavy rain remains in the forecast for Shanghai, setting the stage for another unpredictable race as the second E-Prix is scheduled to begin at 13:00 local time, or 06:00 BST.
Inclement weather could once again create challenges for both drivers and teams as they prepare strategies for changing conditions. Maximilian Gรผnther, who won on Saturday, was also present in Group A, but the spotlight firmly belonged to Cassidy after his composed performance in difficult circumstances. This situation highlights how unexpected conditions can influence outcomes, much like the impact of technical issues in other motorsport events, such as Sainzโs fears in Monaco.
With the grid set by the fastest group laps and no duels or traditional knockout rounds, teams face a different set of challenges than usual. Drivers will need to be ready for sudden changes as more rain is expected.
The Shanghai Formula E weekend has tested everyoneโs ability to adapt, and Cassidyโs pole shows the value of quick thinking and steady hands when conditions turn extreme. This adaptability recalls similar qualities praised in McLaren and Lewis Hamiltonโs Monaco campaign.
The next race promises another exciting chapter in an already eventful season.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohioโs Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.