Briton Dean Stoneman took pole position on his Koiranen GP debut at Sochi ahead of the trio of ART Grand Prix drivers.
Stoneman switched from Marussia Manor Racing after his previous team pulled out of the event citing ‘commercial reasons’ but was immediately on the pace, setting the initial pace before improving to a 1:51.715s near the end.
Alex Fontana took an impressive second place on the grid in the leading ART Grand Prix machine, but was almost half a second adrift of the pole time. He just beat team-mates Marvin Kirchhofer and Dino Zamparelli, who will start on the second row.
Jimmy Eriksson confirmed Koiranen GP’s pace by qualifying fifth ahead of Richie Stanaway, who was fastest in yesterday’s practice session for Status Grand Prix.
Kevin Ceccon was seventh for Jenzer Motorsport ahead of championship leader Alex Lynn of Carlin, who is aiming to clinch the title this weekend. Lynn was on course for a shot at pole position after setting two best sector times on his final, but a lock up cost him that opportunity and he was forced to settle for eighth.
Patric Niederhauser will start ninth for Arden International, while Emil Bernstorff completes the top ten for Carlin.
Sochi Qualifying Times
| POS | DRIVER | NAT | TEAM | TIME |
| 1 | Dean Stoneman | GBR | Koiranen GP | 1:51.715 |
| 2 | Alex Fontana | SWI | ART Grand Prix | 1:52.204 |
| 3 | Marvin Kirchhofer | GER | ART Grand Prix | 1:52.208 |
| 4 | Dino Zamparelli | GBR | ART Grand Prix | 1:52.288 |
| 5 | Jimmy Eriksson | SWE | Koiranen GP | 1:52.388 |
| 6 | Richie Stanaway | NZL | Status Grand Prix | 1:52.476 |
| 7 | Kevin Ceccon | ITA | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:52.499 |
| 8 | Alex Lynn | GBR | Carlin | 1:52.506 |
| 9 | Patric Niederhauser | SWI | Arden International | 1:52.527 |
| 10 | Emil Bernstorff | GBR | Carlin | 1:52.537 |
| 11 | Nick Yelloly | GBR | Status Grand Prix | 1:52.607 |
| 12 | Jann Mardenborough | GBR | Arden International | 1:52.906 |
| 13 | Matheo Tuscher | SWI | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:52.981 |
| 14 | Robert Visoiu | ROM | Arden International | 1:53.019 |
| 15 | Riccardo Agostini | ITA | Hilmer Motorsport | 1:53.151 |
| 16 | Mitchell Gilbert | AUS | Trident Racing | 1:53.190 |
| 17 | Pal Varhaug | NOR | Jenzer Motorsport | 1:53.193 |
| 18 | Patrick Kujala | FIN | Trident Racing | 1:53.386 |
| 19 | Alfonso Celis Jr | MEX | Status Grand Prix | 1:53.693 |
| 20 | Luis Sa Silva | MAC | Carlin | 1:53.742 |
| 21 | Santiago Urrutia | URU | Koiranen GP | 1:53.744 |
| 22 | Nelson Mason | CAN | Hilmer Motorsport | 1:54.191 |
| 23 | Nikolay Martsenko | RUS | Hilmer Motorsport | 1:54.700 |
