Sainz achieves maiden GP3 pole in Spa-Francorchamps

Carlos Sainz

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 tires 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 checkered 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 Results

Pos Driver Team Time 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

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