Dennis takes last-gasp pole for Pau opener

In the faster second qualifying group for even-numbered cars, Dennis’ pole position time of 1m21.795s came after the chequered flag fell, the Prema driver taking six tenths out of his previous time to depose Maximilian Gunther from pole as track conditions improved.

Gunther will start from third, in turn ousting from the top spot Red Bull junior Callum Ilott, the first man to beat the benchmark set in the first group by Charles Leclerc.

Alessio Lorandi, who also enjoyed a spell atop the times earlier on, was fourth quickest in the group and will line up seventh, ahead of George Russell and Pietro Fittipaldi.

Earlier on, Leclerc dominated the first group of qualifiers – consisting of the odd-numbered cars – from the very outset, having set a time over three seconds quicker than his nearest rival when the red flags were shown after six minutes.

Once proceedings resumed, Leclerc continued to chip away at his benchmark with each lap as his rivals scrambled to keep in touch, eventually ending up on a 1m22.845s to take what would later become second on the grid.

Progressive improvements from championship leader Antonio Giovinazzi brought the Italian to within 0.451s of the imperious Leclerc and sealed him fourth, with Alex Albon slotting into third with a time eight tenths further adrift to secure sixth.

Mikkel Jensen was fourth quickest in the group, ahead of Arjun Maini and Lance Stroll, while title contender Felix Rosenqvist faces a monumental task clawing his way up from 14th on the grid after managing only the seventh best time.

First session top 10:

Second session top 10: