Trident Racing’s Luca Ghiotto took a stunning debut GP3 Series pole position in a wet qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps. The Italian, part of Trident’s completely new driver line-up for this weekend, beat Emil Bernstorff of Carlin to top spot by 0.333s.
Early morning rain meant the session started on a wet track, and although the sun broke through towards the end of the session, it did not dry out enough for dry tyres to become the ones to have.
Ghiotto, who’s primary campaign this year has been in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series with International Draco Racing, has an impressive record around Spa in the past, including wins in both Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Series.
Swedish driver Jimmy Eriksson, part of the championship battle this season, will start third for Koiranen GP, ahead of Richie Stanaway of Status Grand Prix, another with title aspirations. They are all trailing behind Alex Lynn in the championship, and the Carlin driver will start race one this afternoon from fifth.
Patrick Kujala was the leading Marussia Manor Racing driver in sixth, ahead of the leading ART Grand Prix entry of Marvin Kirchhofer, while Hungary race two winner Patric Niederhauser will start eighth for Arden International.
The top ten are rounded out by Jenzer Motorsport’s Matheo Tuscher in ninth and Friday afternoon’s practice pacesetter Dino Zamparelli in tenth.
Russian Konstantin Tereschenko, who was scheduled to make his GP3 debut for Trident Racing, will sit out the weekend on doctor’s orders after his terrifying crash in free practice.
Spa-Francorchamps Qualifying Times
| POS | DRIVER | NAT | TEAM | TIME |
| 1 | Luca Ghiotto | ITA | Trident Racing | 2:22.251 |
| 2 | Emil Bernstorff | GBR | Carlin | 2:22.584 |
| 3 | Jimmy Eriksson | SWE | Koiranen GP | 2:22.678 |
| 4 | Richie Stanaway | NZL | Status Grand Prix | 2:22.862 |
| 5 | Alex Lynn | GBR | Carlin | 2:23.081 |
| 6 | Patrick Kujala | FIN | Marussia Manor Racing | 2:23.303 |
| 7 | Marvin Kirchhofer | GER | ART Grand Prix | 2:23.413 |
| 8 | Patric Niederhauser | SWI | Arden International | 2:23.438 |
| 9 | Matheo Tuscher | SWI | Jenzer Motorsport | 2:23.481 |
| 10 | Dino Zamparelli | GBR | ART Grand Prix | 2:23.565 |
| 11 | Dean Stoneman | GBR | Marussia Manor Racing | 2:23.586 |
| 12 | Jann Mardenborough | GBR | Arden International | 2:23.794 |
| 13 | Nick Yelloly | GBR | Status Grand Prix | 2:23.920 |
| 14 | Robert Visoiu | ROM | Arden International | 2:23.996 |
| 15 | Kevin Ceccon | ITA | Jenzer Motorsport | 2:24.057 |
| 16 | Alex Fontana | SWI | ART Grand Prix | 2:24.248 |
| 17 | Sebastian Balthasar | GER | Hilmer Motorsport | 2:24.464 |
| 18 | Santiago Urrutia | URU | Koiranen GP | 2:24.687 |
| 19 | Nelson Mason | CAN | Hilmer Motorsport | 2:24.846 |
| 20 | Luis Sa Silva | MAC | Carlin | 2:24.862 |
| 21 | Pal Varhaug | NOR | Jenzer Motorsport | 2:25.301 |
| 22 | Alfonso Celis Jr | MEX | Status Grand Prix | 2:25.553 |
| 23 | Riccardo Agostini | ITA | Hilmer Motorsport | 2:25.965 |
| 24 | John Bryant-Meisner | SWE | Trident Racing | 2:25.969 |
| 25 | Ryan Cullen | GBR | Marussia Manor Racing | 2:26.537 |
| 26 | Carmen Jorda | ESP | Koiranen GP | No Time |
| 27 | Konstantin Tereschenko | RUS | Trident Racing | No Time |
