Sainz achieves maiden pole in Spa-Francorchamps

Sainz achieves maiden pole in Spa-Francorchamps—
 
MW Arden secure front row lockout with Sainz and Kvyat in Belgium—
 
There was a massive smile on the face of Spaniard Carlos Sainz who delivered in qualifying today with his debut pole in the Series. MW Arden teammate Daniil Kvyat will start alongside him on the front row with ART Grand Prix’s Jack Harvey on the second row in third. Kvyat and Harvey lapped identical times but the Russian driver will start second after setting his time earlier.
 
The 30 minute qualifying session commenced in overcast conditions with track temperatures of 20 degrees. The 27 drivers made their way onto the 7.004km circuit ready for battle, eager to pocket four points for the coveted pole position.
 
Koiranen GP’s Kevin Korjus was first to dip into the 2m05’s with his fresh set of tyres until Harvey shot to the top of the standings by a mere 0.014s. At the midway point of the session, the drivers returned to the pitlane for new Pirelli rubber and it was the ART Grand Prix duo of Conor Daly and Facu Regalia who headed the timings.
 
Korjus reclaimed his place back at the top of the timesheets until Kvyat recorded a flier, the first time in the 2m04’s to take provisional pole by fourth tenths. However, Sainz was busy lighting up the timing screen in purple, fastest in sector two and three and claimed pole position by over half a second with three minutes remaining.
 
Daly rose to P2 until Kvyat demoted the American to make it an MW Arden one-two in qualifying. At the chequered flag Harvey grabbed P3 ahead of Daly, Series leader Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor Racing), Alex Fontana (Jenzer Motorsport), Nick Yelloly (Carlin), Korjus, Regalia and Trident’s David Fumanelli.
 
Rain is forecast for Race 1 later today which starts at 17.20 local time, it promises to be a memorable encounter on this legendary circuit in the Ardennes as the fight for the GP3 crown continues!
 
 
Qualifying
 
Driver
Team
Laptime
Laps
1.
Carlos Sainz
MW Arden
2:04.125
11
2.
Daniil Kvyat
MW Arden
2:04.518
11
3.
Jack Harvey
ART Grand Prix
2:04.518
12
4.
Conor Daly
ART Grand Prix
2:04.524
12
5.
Tio Ellinas
Marussia Manor Racing
2:04.856
11
6.
Alex Fontana
Jenzer Motorsport
2:04.970
10
7.
Nick Yelloly
Carlin
2:04.972
11
8.
Kevin Korjus
Koiranen GP
2:05.027
12
9.
Facu Regalia
ART Grand Prix
2:05.066
12
10.
David Fumanelli
Trident
2:05.255
11
11.
Giovanni Venturini
Trident
2:05.308
12
12.
Alexander Sims
Carlin
2:05.334
12
13.
Robert Visoiu
MW Arden
2:05.382
11
14.
Melville McKee
Bamboo Engineering
2:05.486
12
15.
Lewis Williamson
Bamboo Engineering
2:05.509
12
16.
Dino Zamparelli
Marussia Manor Racing
2:05.541
11
17.
Patric Niederhauser
Jenzer Motorsport
2:05.576
10
18.
Aaro Vainio
Koiranen GP
2:05.760
11
19.
Adderly Fong
Status Grand Prix
2:06.127
9
20.
Patrick Kujala
Koiranen GP
2.06.432
11
21.
Samin Gomez
Jenzer Motorsport
2:06.537
11
22.
Josh Webster
Status Grand Prix
2:06.645
11
23.
Jimmy Eriksson
Status Grand Prix
2:06.871
11
24.
Luis Sa Silva
Carlin
2:07.291
11
25.
Emanuele Zonzini
Trident
2:07.582
11
26.
Ryan Cullen
Marussia Manor Racing
2:08.434
12
27.
Carmen Jorda
Bamboo Engineering
2:09.095
13