Sutil on pole – Guerrieri surprises by coming third

In wet conditions, Adrian Sutil (ASM F3, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:14,641 min) succeeded in clinching pole for the sixth round of the 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series season, held at Spa-Francorchamps. It’s the 22-year old’s first pole position of the season and the third in his Formula 3 Euro Series career so far. His team-mate, Lewis Hamilton (ASM F3, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:14,932 min) will be second on the grid for the Sunday race, while Esteban Guerrieri (Team Midland Euroseries, Dallara-Toyota, 2:15,548 min) caused a stir by qualifying for the third grid position, ahead of Lucas di Grassi (Manor Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes, 2:15,742 min).

The 30-minute qualifying session at the 6.968-kilometre Ardennes rollercoaster started in the rain, but during the course of the session, the conditions improved and the track dried more and more. Adrian Sutil and Lewis Hamilton battled it out for the pole, with Sutil getting the upper hand, at the end of the day. This has been the only second time this year that Lewis Hamilton – who will share the first row on the grid with his team-mate – was outqualified.

Behind the team-mates, Esteban Guerrieri caused a stir by securing third position on the grid. The Argentinean had finished second in the pre-season tests at Spa-Francorchamps, thus proving that the Belgian GP circuit suits him well. In the closing stages, Lucas di Grassi succeeded in displacing the previously fourth placed Giedo van der Garde (Team Rosberg, Opel-Dallara, 2:14.935 minutes) to fifth position.

Adrian Sutil (ASM F3): “Quite obviously, to have been leading in Pau has been crucial, as things have running really well, since then. Finally I’ve succeeded in outqualifying Lewis. In yesterday’s tests and today’s free practice session I have also been fast. The qualifying was anything but easy, yet, everything worked fine. My car was close to perfect.”

Lewis Hamilton (ASM F3): “The qualifying was big fun. Due to the drying track, everybody set his fastest lap in the closing stages. Unfortunately I’ve made a mistake at this point in time, therefore, I lost some time. Adrian was truly quick and it’s a great result for our team.”

Esteban Guerrieri (Team Midland Euroseries): “This has been the best qualifying result in my Formula 3 Euro Series career so far. During the course of yesterday’s tests we succeeded in finding out why we were hampered by a lack of speed. Over night we have worked a lot on the car’s set-up and my team has made a fantastic job. Now I’m looking forward to start the race on Sunday from third position on the grid.”

Track temperature: 10.1 ºC
Air: 12.2 ºC