Kevin Magnussen battles against the Belgian rain (Photo Credit: Vincent Curutchet/DPPI)
The events of race one did not hinder the pace of Kevin Magnussen, who was undeterred in the wet conditions and made it two pole positions out of two in Spa.
Rain descended on the Ardennes valleys but that would not stop the Dane taking pole ahead of Robin Frijns and Sam Bird. The latter had his time removed, though, as the ISR car ran out of fuel ensuring Bird would start at the back of the field.
However, the glory belonged to Magnussen who is desperate to convert pole into a win at the second time of asking. He said: “After my pole in the dry yesterday, I'm very pleased to have set this pole in the rain.”
“For me pole means a lot even if it doesn't bring me any points. It's very important. Yesterday, I wasn't very lucky in the race so I have to make up for that today. If it rains being on pole gives me a big advantage.”
Spa is notorious for its unpredictable weather and the treacherous conditions certainly affected the drivers out on the track.
Although second, some six tenths down on Magnussen’s effort, Frijns described the perils of the Belgian circuit in wet conditions.
He said: “I couldn't see anything out there! I didn't even know my position, first or last, I had no idea. It was impossible to see the braking points and as for grip, forget it!
“It's great being on the front row and I'll have to make a good start. If it rains it's the type of race where you have to avoid the traps to score points.”
In Bird’s absence, Jules Bianchi completed the top three and after a difficult start to the season for Lewis Williamson a ray of light appeared with a stunning lap top claim fourth spot on the grid for Arden Caterham.
An excellent lap in the closing stages saw Comtec‘s Nick Yelloly take fifth with fellow former GP3 driver Nico Muller completing row three.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Kevin Magnussen Carlin 2m18.733s 2. Robin Frijns Fortec 2m19.431s + 0.698s 3. Sam Bird ISR 2m19.605s + 0.872s* 4. Jules Bianchi Tech 1 2m19.800s + 1.067s 5. Lewis Williamson Arden 2m19.801s + 1.068s 6. Nick Yelloly Comtec 2m19.999s + 1.266s 7. Nico Muller Draco 2m20.139s + 1.406s 8. Walter Grubmuller P1 2m20.195s + 1.462s 9. Jake Rosenzweig ISR 2m20.477s + 1.744s 10. Daniil Move P1 2m20.560s + 1.827s 11. Marco Sorensen Lotus 2m20.872s + 2.139s 12. Will Stevens Carlin 2m20.962s + 2.229s 13. Anton Nebylitskiy RFR 2m20.985s + 2.252s 14. Alexander Rossi Arden 2m20.996s + 2.263s 15. Kevin Korjus Tech 1 2m21.027s + 2.294s 16. Richie Stanaway Lotus 2m21.169s + 2.436s 17. Vittorio Ghirelli Comtec 2m21.373s + 2.640s 18. Arthur Pic DAMS 2m21.752s + 3.019s 19. Carlos Huertas Fortec 2m21.832s + 3.099s 20. Andre Negrao Draco 2m21.900s + 3.167s 21. Nikolay Martsenko BVM Target 2m23.038s + 4.305s 22. Zoel Amberg Pons 2m23.060s + 4.327s 23. Yann Cunha Pons 2m23.198s + 4.465s 24. Giovanni Venturini BVM Target 2m24.742s + 6.009s 25. Mikhail Aleshin RFR 2m25.243s + 6.510s 26. Lucas Foresti DAMS 2m29.085s + 10.352s
* times removed
