Double pole position for Spaniard Daniel Juncadella…

Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam, 1:23.096 minutes) claimed first place in Formula 3 Euro Series qualifying at the 3.629 kilometres long sprint circuit lay-out of the Nürburgring. The Spaniard was 0.193 seconds faster than second-placed Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.289 minutes). German Sven Müller (Prema Powerteam, 1:23.337 minutes) ended up third as the best-placed rookie in his home event. In the ranking of the second-fastest laps, Juncadella was on top as well and will thus start from pole position for season rounds 15 and 13 of the 2012 Formula 3 Euro Series.

Felix Rosenqvist was on top after the first half of qualifying. At that time, Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam, 1:23.364 minutes) was second ahead of his team-mate Daniel Juncadella. Only three minutes before the end of qualifying, points’ leader Juncadella moved up into first place, which he defended until the chequered flag was out. Sven Müller, who incurred a craze in his right elbow in an accident at Spa-Francorchamps three weeks ago, still claimed third place in the closing stages. Behind fourth-placed Marciello, German Pascal Wehrlein (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.376 minutes) followed as the best-placed rookie. In total, the lap times of twelve young drivers were within 0.7 seconds from pace-setter Daniel Juncadella.

Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): “Qualifying was really good. Last year, I already had a pair of pole positions here, and today, I achieved the same. That was also my goal. I am very happy with the result, with my team and with my car. Now, I want to try not to look back in the two long races and to win. The two pole positions are the best basis to do so.”

Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport): “With my first set of tyres, things were going well and I was on top. With the second set, I also had a good lap time at a fairly easy stage, which was only toppled by Daniel Juncadella at the end. I reckon that grip at the track got better towards the end of the session, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to improve my lap time. Nevertheless, it is good to be up front again at last, after I was having some problems during the last races.”