Kevin Magnussen will start on pole position for Rounds 13 and 15 of the 2011 Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 International Series in Germany this weekend. Maintaining his impressive form during Friday practice, the Danish youngster asserted himself at the front of the field by taking 7 tenths of a second off his quickest time in yesterday’s practice sessions to claim pole position for Round 15 – his 2nd-fastest time was also enough to secure pole position in Round 13 on Saturday afternoon.
Magnussen was delighted with the result: “I am very pleased. I knew that I had a little more time in me. The car was great – we barely changed a thing from yesterday.”
Fellow Carlin team-mate, Carlos Huertas set the 2nd quickest time of the session, earning him a front-row grid slot for Round 15 and 4th place for Round 13. “I'm pleased… The car gets better every weekend,” said Carlos.
Jazeman Jaafar and Felipe Nasr made it a Carlin 1-2-3-4, Jaafar did well to pip championship leader Nasr by a mere 3/100ths of a second – though Nasr will start in 2nd for Round 13 as his 2nd-fastest time gave Magnussen a run for his money.
HiTech Racing‘s new Portugese signing, Antonio Felix Da Costa put in an impressive debut performance to claim the 5th fastest time, but was also one of many victims of a post-session penalty as he was deemed to be speeding under yellow flags brought out by Sino Vision’s Adderly Fong. He starts in 5th for Round 13, but takes a 5 place grid drop for Round 15.
Also penalised were Pedro Nunes (another new HiTech signing), Scott Pye, Pipo Derani, Hywel Lloyd, Fahmi Ilyas and Kotaro Sakurai – each of whom will take 5-place grid drops, except for Nunes who earned a more severe 10-place grid penalty.
Fortec’s Lucas Foresti claimed the 6th fastest time ahead of William Buller, who earned the accolade of the quickest British driver. Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Harry Tincknell and Pedro Nunes round out the Top 10 for tomorrow’s Round 15.
Bart Hylkema secured yet another pole in the Rookie Class ahead of Sakurai, who’s penalties are merely incidental as he would have started at the back of the grid anyway.
Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series
Provisional qualifying times, Nürburgring / 2/7/2011
Championship class
1 Kevin MAGNUSSEN / DEN, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 53.311s
2 Carlos HUERTAS / COL, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 53.545s
3 Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 53.551s
4 Felipe NASR / BRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 53.583s
5 Antonio Felix da COSTA / POR, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 53.668s
6 Lucas FORESTI / BRA, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 54.097s
7 William BULLER /GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 54.184s
8 Rupert SVENDSEN-COOK / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 54.218s
9 Harry TINCKNELL / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 54.280s
10 Pedro NUNES / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 54.424s etc
Rookie class
1 Bart HYLKEMA / NED, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m 55.905s
2 Kotaro SAKURAI / JPN, Hitech Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m 56.877s
Full timesheets
