Oliver Rowland claims strangest-ever Formula E pole in wet red-flagged Monaco qualifying

Oliver Rowland claimed the strangest-ever Formula E pole position, in a soaking wet red-flagged qualifying session. 

Heavy rain started to fall 20 minutes before qualifying got underway, causing complete chaos. Remarkably, Rowland secured pole without a final duel taking place, as in the second all-DS Penske semi-final, both drivers exceeded track limits. 

Jean-Eric Vergne and Maximilian Günther both cut the Nouvelle chicane, voiding the second semi-final. 

Bizarrely, Rowland and Nyck de Vries both went off at Sainte Devote in the opening semi-final; however, it was not judged as exceeding track limits as no advantage was gained.

The session did face a red flag delay during Group B, following a heavy crash for Sam Bird

Duels

Rowland's pole position was effectively claimed by defeating de Vries in the semi-finals, whilst he defeated Antonio Felix da Costa in the quarter-finals.

In Rowland's quarter-final, rain again started to fall, having momentarily paused after the first group. As mentioned, both DS Penske drivers went off in the second semi-final, deleting both drivers lap times. 

Mahindra's De Vries reached the semi-finals after defeating Dan Ticktum in the quarter-finals, who was, unusually, not in 350kW power mode. Elsewhere, Vergne defeated Stoffel Vandoorne and Günther beat Sebastien Buemi.

Due to having completed his lap, de Vries joins Rowland on the front row in the craziest FE qualifying in history.

Group stage

Just 20 minutes ahead of qualifying getting underway, the heavens opened at the Circuit de Monaco, soaking the circuit and resulting in treachourous conditions. 

It made lap times 30 seconds slower in the opening group compared to 24 hours ago, with grip having been at an absolute minimum. 

Group A featured championship leader and Saturday's winner Rowland, as well as title rival da Costa. The wet weather offered an opportunity to the weaker teams, yet only Ticktum managed to capitalise. 

It was yesterday's second-place finisher de Vries who topped the group, ahead of da Costa, Rowland and Cupra Kiro's Ticktum. ABT Lola's Zane Maloney came within just 0.039s of the duels. Home driver Mitch Evans, will start from the ninth row.

The conditions remained hugely challenging in Group B, although the best lap times were immediately a second quicker than in the first group – a 1m 54s compared to a 1m 55s. 

However, a red flag was flown with five minutes remaining, following a high-speed crash for McLaren's Sam Bird at Sainte Devote. Bird was OK, although the front of his car was severely damaged.

The timer was eventually stopped with just under three minutes remaining, due to barrier repairs having also been required. With 2m 46s remaining, the timer restarted, triggering a flurry of action to get a final hot lap posted.

In the end, it was veteran Buemi who topped the group on a 1m 52.480s, with Vergne, Vandoorne and Günther joining him. Crucially, reigning world champion Wehrlein was eliminated.