The Formula E season 12 finale in London has kicked off with a dramatic twist. Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein delivered a flawless qualifying performance, securing pole position for the first race on Saturday, August 15, 2026. This stunning result comes as a major blow to championship leader Jake Dennis who was unexpectedly eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Wehrlein’s perfect run from the Group A stage through to the final against teammate Nico Müller has significantly boosted his title aspirations. The German driver now finds himself in a strong position to challenge Dennis and Mitch Evans in the tightly contested championship battle.
Wehrlein’s Dominant Qualifying Performance
The qualifying session began with Group A, featuring Wehrlein alongside Edoardo MortaraNick CassidyFelipe DrugovichJean-Éric VergneDan TicktumLucas di Grassi Dennis, and Nyck de Vries. The session started with a tense moment when di Grassi and de Vries made contact after just three minutes, though both cars escaped damage.
Wehrlein quickly established his dominance, setting the fastest time by a narrow margin of just 23 milliseconds over Ticktum. Dennis, the championship leader, could only manage fourth place in his group, 42 milliseconds behind Wehrlein. Vergne was the last driver to advance from Group A.
Group B saw Porsche maintain its strong form, with Müller setting the fastest time ahead of Evans, Oliver Rowland and António Félix da Costa. This performance set up an all-Porsche final between Wehrlein and Müller, which the German driver won convincingly.
The Intensifying Championship Battle
As the curtain falls on the GEN3 era, the Formula E championship is reaching its climax. Dennis arrives in London with a two-point lead over Evans, while Wehrlein is just five points behind in third place. The German driver’s pole position gives him a crucial advantage in the title race.
Behind this leading trio, several drivers still harbor title hopes. Rowland, Mortara, Cassidy, Müller, and de Vries all remain mathematically in contention before the two London races. The intense competition promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final lap.
Team Dynamics and Farewells
While Porsche has already secured the constructors’ championship, the battle for second place between Jaguar TCS racing and Porsche remains unresolved. Jaguar currently leads by just 14 points, making the final races crucial for determining the final standings.
This weekend also marks the end of an era for Formula E. The GEN3 single-seater, introduced in the 2026/23 season, will make its final appearances before being replaced by the GEN4 in December. The GEN3 Evo, used for the past two seasons, has been the fastest accelerating single-seater in FIA history, featuring all-wheel drive that can be activated on demand.
The London E-Prix will also be the last time the championship is held at the Excel track. From, the final will take place at Brands Hatch with the season 13 finale scheduled for Tokyo.
The driver market is beginning to take shape for the 2026/27 season. Citroën Racing has confirmed its driver lineup of Cassidy and Vergne, while Andretti has secured Dennis and Drugovich for multiple seasons. Opel GSE a new constructor for next season, has signed Théo Pourchaire as its first recruit.
One of the most significant farewells comes from Lucas di Grassi who is retiring after this weekend. The Brazilian champion, present since the first season of Formula E, ends his career with 14 victories, 42 podiums, and 163 races contested. His final race in Shanghai this season was a fitting tribute to his illustrious career.
The London E-Prix schedule features three practice sessions, two qualifying sessions, and two races over the weekend. The first race takes place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the second race scheduled for Sunday, August 16, 2026.
