In a repeat of his incredible GP3 debut from last season, Luca Ghiotto has claimed pole for this afternoons race at Spa-Francorchamps – and in the process claimed his fourth pole of the season and the fifth of his career. Ghiotto’s lap time was a tenth of a second faster than ART Grand Prix’s Esteban Ocon, with Ocon’s team mate Marvin Kirchhöfer in third.
After leading the way in Free Practice, Ghiotto clearly had the pace to challenge for pole and the Italian was the first to dip into the 2m04’s bracket, and at the time held a three tenth advantage over Arden International’s Emil Bernstorff.
Carlin and Ferrari Academy Driver Antonio Fuoco moved up to third, before Ocon split Ghiotto and Bernstorff as the clock ticked down. As the chequered flag came out, Kirchhöfer was on his best lap, lighting the timing screens purple. The German moved up to third as the session drew to a close.
Behind the top three of Ghiotto, Ocon and Kirchhöfer was Bernstorff, Fuoco, Kevin Ceccon, Matthew Parry, Matheo Tuscher, Jimmy Eriksson and Alfonso Celis Jr.
It is also worth noting the job that Status Grand Prix’s Seb Morris done, with the Briton having not completely a single lap during practice due to a mechanical issue, and took to the track for the first time this weekend and achieved 13th place on the grid for the Feature Race.
After the session, Kirchhofer was issued with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Koiranen GP’s Parry, meaning the German driver will start sixth behind Bernstorff, Fuoco and Ceccon.
Spa-Francorchamps Qualifying Result
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