Quaife-Hobbs clinches maiden GP3 pole

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs has claimed his first GP3 pole position in Silverstone today after setting the fastest lap in today’s qualifying session.

The Marussia Manor Racing driver’s best lap of 1:51.190 was nearly fourth tenths clear of second place man Lotus ART’s James Calado ensuring an all British front row for Race 1 at Silverstone Circuit this afternoon.

In stark contrast to yesterday’s torrential conditions, this morning the teams were greeted with dry and bright conditions, albeit with a slightly damp track, and all thirty drivers headed out on track with Pirelli P Zero slick tires. Carlin’s Tom Dillmann was the first car to complete a flying lap and go top until the rest of the field got up to speed.

Mid-session was dominated by the MW Arden duo of Lewis Williamson and Series leader Mitch Evans, along with eventual poleman Quaife-Hobbs. The trio constantly swapped fastest lap times, until Jenzer Motorsport’s Nico Müller found some extra time around the 5.891 km track to go top of the timesheet with a 1:52.285 lap.

But with five minutes left on the clock Williamson was back on top and looked string for his second pole of the season. It was then a frantic final minute which saw Williamson, Calado and finally Quaife-Hobbs heading the grid and taking his, and Marussia Manor Racing’s first ever GP3 pole. Valencia race 2 winner Calado sealed a British 1-2, with Evans taking third ahead of Alexander Sims in fourth for Status Grand Prix.

Next up for GP3 Series is Race 1 this afternoon at 16:20 local time.

Qualifying times:

Following yesterday’s second practice session the stewards handed Marussia Manor Racing’s Matias Laine a drop of ten grid spots for race 1 on Saturday for ignoring waved yellow flags.

All three drivers were given a drop of ten grid spots for their next race at Silverstone Circuit for causing a collision.