F1 dealt brutal shot by Formula E champion

Season 3 Formula E champion and former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi has dealt F1 a brutal blow regarding the current state of its qualifying, insisting that Formula E can complete the session flat out.

One of the biggest complaints surrounding the new power unit regulations so far this season has been qualifying laps not being conducted flat out.

Across the opening three rounds in Australia, China and Japan, drivers had to deal with energy management even in qualifying, with lift and coast being required.

No such thing happens in Formula E, which will continue to be the case once its new Gen4 car is competitively introduced next season.

The car, which was launched last week at Circuit Paul Ricard, is expected to cut the difference between F1 and Formula E from around 15 seconds to under five.

Crucially, qualifying in Formula E does see drivers push flat out, something F1 drivers will be hoping returns in Miami this weekend.

Changes to F1's regulations have been made by the FIA ahead of the Miami Grand Prix following a series of meetings in April, with qualifying being a key area of discussion.

Based on the changes made, it is anticipated that drivers will return to pushing flat out across an entire lap in qualifying, with energy management no longer being required.

Discussing Formula E moving close to an F1-level of performance with its new Gen4, di Grassi told RacingNews365 during an interview: "Let me put it this way: in Formula E, we're still going to go flat out in qualifying — not in Formula 1. 

"If you ask which championship is actually going for the ultimate lap time in qualifying, it's Formula E.

"Formula E drivers are able to go flat out throughout qualifying; there is no need for energy saving, recharging — nothing. 

"In racing, of course, there will still be energy-constrained racing, but in qualifying, that's what I'm saying — we're going to have the fastest cars on the planet."