Alex Lynn flies to maiden pole in Barcelona
 Carlin’s Alex Lynn starts the GP3 season in style in Spain
An enthralling GP3 qualifying session at the Circuit de Catalunya saw rookie Alex Lynn achieve his maiden pole position in Round 1 of the 2014 Series. ART Grand Prix’s Marvin Kirchhöfer will join the Brit on the front row. Richie Stanaway (Status Grand Prix) will start from third.
The thirty minute qualifying session got underway with a track temperature of 21 degrees. The 27 drivers fed onto the track, eager to see who could secure the first points on offer with four points for the coveted pole position. Dino Zamparelli (ART Grand Prix) and Jimmy Eriksson were first to exit the pitlane. Following the installation laps, it was Zamparelli who was first to lap in the 1m36’s, until Eriksson and Alex Fontana bettered his time.
Kirchhöfer shot into P1, a position he held the majority of the session, the German rookie showing his pace to the rest of the pack but it was the Swede, Eriksson, who was first into the 1m35’s. The ART Grand Prix driver was back on it after lighting the timing screens purple and reclaimed back P1.
Stanaway flew up the order to P2 as the clock ticked down but it was Red Bull Junior team’s Lynn who set the quickest time of the session in a 1:35.614. Kirchhöfer did all he could to improve on the Brit’s time but had to be content with second fastest. There was a small spin for Dean Stoneman (Marussia Manor Racing) at the close of the session which was covered by yellow flags, whilst Patric Niederhauser (Arden International) stopped on track.
At the chequered flag, it was Lynn who topped the timings and earned four points for his efforts. Kirchhofer, Stanaway, Eriksson, Patrick Kujala, Zamparelli, Emil Bernstorff, Fontana, Pal Varhaug and Matheo Tuscher completed the top ten.
The opening race of the season will commence later today at 17.20 local time – find out who will become the first winner of the 2014 GP3 Series season!
Qualifying
Driver
Team
Laptime
Laps
1.
Alex Lynn
Carlin
1:35.614
13
2.
Marvin Kirchhöfer
ART Grand Prix
1:35.726
13
3.
Richie Stanaway
Status Grand Prix
1:35.784
13
4.
Jimmy Eriksson
Status Grand Prix
1:35.904
12
5.
Patrick Kujala
Marussia Manor Racing
1:35.970
11
6.
Dino Zamparelli
ART Grand Prix
1:36.015
11
7.
Emil Bernstorff
Carlin
1:36.136
12
8.
Alex Fontana
ART Grand Prix
1:36.151
12
9.
Pal Varhaug
Jenzer Motorsport
1:36.165
13
10.
Matheo Tushcer
Jenzer Motorsport
1:36.210
14
11.
Nick Yelloly
Status Grand Prix
1:36.230
13
12.
Patric Niederhauser
Arden International
1:36.276
13
13.
Dean Stoneman
Marussia Manor Racing
1:36.375
11
14.
Roman De Beer
Trident
1:36.579
11
15.
Robert Visoiu
Arden International
1:36.711
12
16.
Ryan Cullen
Marussia Manor Racing
1:36.759
12
17.
Adderly Fong
Jenzer Motorsport
1:36.787
13
18.
Jann Mardenborough
Arden International
1:36.871
12
19.
Victor Carbone
Trident
1:37.023
12
20.
Nelson Mason*
Hilmer Motorsport
1:37.084
12
21.
Luis Sa Silva
Carlin
1:37.163
11
22.
Santiago Urrutia
Koiranen GP
1:37.166
11
23.
Alfonso Celis. Jr
Status Grand Prix
1:37.300
12
24.
Beitske Visser
Hilmer Motorsport
1:37.406
13
25.
Ivan Taranov
Hilmer Motorsport
1:38.071
5
26.
Denis Nagulin
Trident
1:38.203
12
27.
Carmen Jorda
Koiranen GP
1:38.694
12
*3 place grid penalty for technical infringement in Free Practice