GP3
Korjus claims maiden pole in Silverstone-
Koiranen GP Kevin Korjus beats Jack Harvey to pole in thrilling qualifying…
Rookie Kevin Korjus was all smiles as he came out on top in a tough battle for the coveted pole position today. It looked like home hero Jack Harvey was set to pocket his debut pole in front of the large army of British fans but the Estonian denied the Brit’ in the dying seconds of the session to continue his impressive rookie form. ART Grand Prix’s Harvey and Facu Regalia qualified in second and third.
The 30 minute qualifying session got underway with the Koiranen GP duo of Korjus and Aaro Vainio first to feed onto the Northamptonshire circuit as the 27 drivers enjoyed dry conditions on a chilly Silverstone morning. MW Arden’s Robert Visoiu was first to lap in the 1m47’s while the ART GP boys waited in the pits.
Carlos Sainz (MW Arden) was on an impressive lap, lighting up the timing screens but ran wide and lost valuable time, costing him a potential early chance of grabbing P1. Regalia also had a small moment on track but was able to continue in the hunt for pole.
Daniil Kvyat (MW Arden) was next to lead the way until Harvey snatched provisional pole away from him with a laptime of 1:47.185. His teammate Regalia was quick to follow but was 0.042s off the Brit and went P2.
At the midway point of the session, the drivers returned to the pitlane for a new set of Pirelli rubber to mount their challenge for the elusive pole. Korjus was hot on the pace and demoted Harvey to second by posting the first laptime of the session in the 1m46s barrier, three tenths faster than the ART GP driver.
Series leader Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor Racing) had other ideas and clocked a time a tenth faster than the Estonian to go P1 with five minutes remaining. This was to be short-lived however with Sainz bettering the Cypriot’s time by just 0.044s.
The power of the British fans can spur a driver onto great things and Harvey drove an inspired lap to reclaim provisional pole, producing a lap two tenths faster than the Spaniard. As the chequered flag came out, Korjus was on yet another hot lap and managed to sneak P1 by a mere 0.055s.The yellow flags were waved as Carlin’s Eric Lichtenstein had a small spin, thus ending the session.
Korjus will head the front row, with Harvey in P2 – his best qualifying so far of his rookie campaign. Regalia, Alex Fontana (Jenzer Motorsport), Sainz, Ellinas, Kvyat, Nick Yelloly (Carlin), Conor Daly ART Grand Prix) and Patric Niederhauser (Jenzer Motorsport) complete the top ten.
Race 1 will take place at 16.20 GMT later today and promises to be an exciting encounter!