Formula E's qualifying format will see a key change for Season Five with the removal of its lottery system as the all-electric single seater series gears up for its next generation of racing for the 2018/19 season.
Currently, Formula E uses a 'lottery' system to determine the running order of groups in qualifying, with the field of 20 getting narrowed down to four groups of five drivers while each grouping is determined on championship position.
After each of the four groups have completed their initial runs, the five fastest drivers progress to the Super Pole shootout where a final polesitter and the starting position of the top five is determined.
While Formula E's group format will still remain, the scrapping of the lottery will mean that running order will instead be determined by championship position as opposed to being randomised, with the highest placed in the championship drivers completing their runs first.
With the arrival of HWA AG on the Season Five grid, the size of each of the four groups will also increase, growing to six drivers in order to account for two additional cars while the top six will progress through to Super Pole instead of the top five,
With this change, Formula E could see more exciting racing due to the possibility of shaken up grids, with runners in Group 1 traditionally facing a disadvantage in qualifying due to track conditions acclimatising for the final group of runners.
This is the latest in one of a number of changes for the FIA's premier electric championship, the most significant change of which will see the arrival of the new Gen2 car which will replace the series' current Spark SRT 01E machinery while mid-race car changes will also be removed.
With Season Five set to commence in Riyadh this December, qualifying order will be determined by championship positions in the Season Four standings which are currently fronted by Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne who currently holds a 23 point advantage over DS Virgin Racing's Sam Bird.
Formula E's final race of Season Four will take place on July 14 and 15 in New York City where a new driver will be crowned champion.
