Yes because of the rain and changing conditions. Formula E has qualifying in groups (not unheard of in other sports) and a superpole battle for top 5 at the end. Due to the fact they pretty much have road tyres on its not even that much of a disadvantage to be out first as track doesn't rubber in. Weather conditions are a luck thing. We see mixed up grids in all series when there is rain in qualifying. It's not a gimmick or design.
The real reason we see mixed up grids in Formula E is because the cars perform differently on a time trial to and overall race. For instance last year we saw the NIO car was fantastic over one full out full power lap but changed all together when it came to a race distance and managing power. Audi were the complete opposite. It's not a gimmick to deliberatly mix up grids it's just a quirk of the technology. Therefore it's not 'artifical' like the ideas that have been suggested to mix up F1 grids.
I accept your point on the race tracks - although I happen to think the cobbled together street track stuff is part of the charm of the series but that's just about personal opinion. I'm baffled as to the comparison from this race to the worst type of F1 race where the faster car behind can't get within a second of the car in front. I guess to me most of the excitment comes in the chase and pressure build up to an overtake rather than the overtake itself. This race had that in spades.
The real reason we see mixed up grids in Formula E is because the cars perform differently on a time trial to and overall race. For instance last year we saw the NIO car was fantastic over one full out full power lap but changed all together when it came to a race distance and managing power. Audi were the complete opposite. It's not a gimmick to deliberatly mix up grids it's just a quirk of the technology. Therefore it's not 'artifical' like the ideas that have been suggested to mix up F1 grids.
I accept your point on the race tracks - although I happen to think the cobbled together street track stuff is part of the charm of the series but that's just about personal opinion. I'm baffled as to the comparison from this race to the worst type of F1 race where the faster car behind can't get within a second of the car in front. I guess to me most of the excitment comes in the chase and pressure build up to an overtake rather than the overtake itself. This race had that in spades.
