Spa: Series qualifying report

Baguette in an ideal position

At Spa-Francorchamps, Bertrand Baguette (International Draco Racing) continues to build on his performance in collective testing by taking pole for the first time in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Following the SuperPole, which saw eleven drivers clock best laps inside the same second, the Belgian driver finds himself in an ideal position, ahead of Miguel Molina (Ultimate Motorsport) and James Walker (P1 Motorsport).

Group B:

The Group B drivers got the morning's qualifying underway. Miguel Molina immediately took matters in hand and set the pace for this session ahead of Fairuz Fauzy (Mofaz Fortec Motorsport), Daniil Move (P1 Motorsport), Oliver Turvey (Carlin Motorsport) and Charles Pic (Tech 1 Racing).

The red flag was brought out when Sten Pentus (Mofaz Fortec Motorsport) left the track. At that point, the standings showed Miguel Molina in the lead ahead of Charles Pic, Adrian Valles (Epsilon Euskadi), Oliver Turvey, Fairuz Fauzy and Pasquale di Sabatino (RC Motorsport). The positions continued to change as the session drew to a close. Charles Pic went into the lead, only to be beaten at the death by Adrian Valles who clocked 2'03''658. Valles finished first of this group ahead of Charles Pic and Oliver Turvey.

Group A:

Formula Renault 3.5 Series leader Marcos Martinez (Pons Racing) went straight to the top of the timing-screens, while James Walker, Chris Van der Drift (Epsilon Euskadi) and Greg Mansell (Ulimate Motorsport) battled it out for second place. After several laps on old tires, the drivers went into the pits to fit new rubber. Marco Barba (International Draco Racing) was the first man to knock Marcos Martinez of the top spot, succeeded by Jaime Alguersuari (Carlin Motorsport). Greg Mansell span out and put a temporary end to everyone's efforts.

James Walker had the last word in the end, with a lap time of 2'02''935. He finished ahead of Marcos Martinez, Jaime Alguersuari and Bertrand Baguette. In sixth place, Brendon Hartley (Tech 1 Racing) took the last SuperPole spot.

SuperPole:

Jaime Alguersuari was the first driver to score a significant lap time in the SuperPole, jumping to the top of the provisional standings ahead of Miguel Molina and Adrian Valles. Valles improved his lap time to grab provisional pole position back in 2'03''392, with Miguel Molina moving up to second place.

The last few minutes were decisive. James Walker took the lead but just for a few seconds, as Miguel Molina battled his way to provisional pole and Bertrand Baguette moved up to second. The Belgian continued to push hard and made it to the top of the timing screens to take pole in the nick of time. With a 2'02''862 lap, he will be pole-sitter for the first time in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series ahead of Miguel Molina and James Walker.

Quote, unquote:

Bertrand Baguette: "I'm really pleased! In the first part of qualifying today, I didn't get a very clear run and I only just qualified for the SuperPole. In the SuperPole, I did three laps on my own and I was able to take the pole. It's important so I can go for this win, which I need!"

James Walker: "The session was hotly contested. I came up against a few of my fellow competitors in the SuperPole. I need points this weekend after a tough time in Barcelona. I need at least one podium in Spa!"

-credit: wsr