Brits take all the pole positions at Silverstone

Spectators and drivers of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship got to see two different qualifyings at the 5.891 kilometres long Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. In first qualifying on a near-dry track, Harry Tincknell (Carlin) came out on top. He claimed first place in the ranking of the fastest laps and in the order of the second-fastest laps. Second qualifying got underway at a wet track after a brief shower, but the asphalt dried out more and more during the 20 minutes’ session. Eventually, Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam), who was driving with slicks, had the best chances and came out in first place from points’ leader Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam).

Starting grid for race 1

Halfway through first qualifying, Harry Tincknell (1:54.098 minutes) moved up to the top of the standings. With their following attempts, Felix Rosenqvist (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, 1:54.471 minutes) and Alex Lynn (1:54.421 minutes) remained behind the Brit, who could celebrate his first pole position of the season. Compatriot Alex Lynn ended up second from Felix Rosenqvist and points’ leader Raffaele Marciello (1:54.602 minutes).

Qualifying was red-flagged with 90 seconds remaining following an accident. Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing, 1:58.426 minutes) had run into the rear of Luis Felipe Derani’s car (Fortec Motorsports, 1:55.058 minutes), after which the rear wing of Derani’s car broke off.

Starting grid for race 2

In the ranking of the second-fastest laps, which determines the starting grid positions for the second race, Tincknell (1:54.129 minutes) came out on top. Felix Rosenqvist (1:54.643 minutes) ended up behind the Carlin driver, while Raffaele Marciello (1:54.859 minutes) again had to make do with a position on the second row of the starting grid, having been classified third behind Alex Lynn (1:54.916 minutes).

Starting grid for race 3 "'For the three races, I now hope to score some points. Even more so, as this is my home race.|Alex Lynn|right""

A brief rain shower set in just before the start of second qualifying. After less than five minutes, the action again had to be red-flagged, because Tom Blomqvist (Eurointernational) had lost a wheel of his car. In this session, too, Harry Tincknell (2:06.623 minutes) came to the fore around the halfway point, but this time, he was soon toppled by Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam, 2:06.952 minutes). The seasoned Brit countered and claimed back the lead. The final minutes then brought plenty of action with some position changes. Eventually, Alex Lynn (2:03.859 minutes) came out on top and is thus allowed to start the third race from pole position. Raffaele Marciello (2:04.706 minutes), Felix Rosenqvist (2:04.821 minutes) and Jordan King (Carlin, 2:05.084 minutes) ended up behind the Brit.

Harry Tincknell (Carlin) “I am very happy, because the team has been working hard during the winter and also just before the season. Therefore, I am happy being able to reward them with these two pole positions. My car was brilliant, my team has done a great job. However, I know the Silverstone track very well and I like it. A British driver just fits to a British circuit…”

Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam) “Second qualifying wasn’t easy, because the track was damp at first, but then dried more and more. The decision to change to slicks was absolutely right. In the final minutes, my car was fantastic. My mechanics handled the tyre change really quickly, which was very important. The first few laps with slicks were still difficult, but then, they got warmer and things improved. For the three races, I now hope to score some points. Even more so, as this is my home race.”

FIA F3 European