Mercedes falls short in Formula E qualifying, pole for Da Costa

Antonio Felix da Costa secured pole position in Formula E qualifying for the E-Prix in Marrakech. In doing so, he beat Edoardo Mortara in the final duel, allowing the Swiss to start second in the race.

Da Costa set the fastest time of 1:17.070, less than a tenth of a second ahead of Mortara. Jean-Eric Vergne will start third after the two-time Formula E champion was eliminated in the semi-finals by teammate Da Costa.

Championship leader Stoffel Vandoorne did not get far, suffering a brake problem and dropping out on the first lap of qualifying. As a result, the Belgian will start from the twentieth on the grid. Teammate Nyck de Vries did make it through the first round but did not make it to the duels. The reigning champion has to settle for ninth on the grid.

The Marrakesh E-Prix starts at 17:00 local time.