PAC: Series Singapore Friday report

Kvyat sweeps qualifying in Singapore.

Marina Bay, Singapore - Daniil Kvyat (RUS/16/Eurointernational) earned pole position for Rounds 11&12 of Formula BMW Pacific in support of the 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX today, setting a quickest time nearly eight-tenths of a second faster than local hope Richard Bradley (SIN/19/Eurasia Motorsport), who will start both races alongside the Russian.

Although Bradley, who leads both the Formula BMW Pacific Drivers' Classification and Rookie Cup, put up a furious fight for pole in front of the home crowd, it was Kvyat's final lap of the session, a scorching 2:23.891, which gave him pole for Saturday's Round 11 on the 5.067km Marina Bay street circuit.

Formula BMW Pacific Junior Kotaro Sakurai (JPN/15/Eurasia Motorsport) will start from third in Round 11, with Colombian Oscar Tunjo (Meritus) and Malaysian Calvin Wong (18/PETRONAS Mofaz Racing) fourth and fifth-fastest, respectively.

With the drivers' second-fastest times determining the grid for Round 12, Tunjo will start Sunday's race from third, with Wong alongside, and Sakurai on the third row.

Mid-way through the dramatic 25-minute session, Kvyat showed his mettle, shaving almost two seconds off the provisional pole time. As the 22 drivers jostled for position, the Russian held firm at the top of the time sheets, and though Bradley edged ever closer, he wasn't able to better him.

With new tyres, lap times began to tumble, but with just two minutes left of the session, Kvyat's time was the still the one to beat, with Bradley, Tunjo, Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/16/Eurointernational) and Wong all looking to go quicker.

With the seconds ticking down, Bradley dramatically grabbed provisional pole from Kvyat, but his Eurointernational rival wasn't to be outdone, and bettered his time after the chequered flag.

Meanwhile Sakurai, who spent most of the session in the middle of the pack, left it to the last lap to set his fastest time, catapulting him to third. Sakurai's fellow Formula BMW Pacific Juniors did not fare as well, with both Jordan Oon (AUS/20/E-Rain Racing) and Jesse Dixon (AUS/18/Atlantic Racing Team) hitting the wall and ending their sessions prematurely.

Saturday's Round 11 and Sunday's Round 12 are in support of the 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

Formula BMW Pacific Driver Quotes:

Daniil Kvyat, 1st Rounds 11&12 Qualifying: "I put together all the sectors on the last lap. It was my last chance and I was able to push to the max. To be seven-tenths of a second quicker, I don't know if I can say it's a perfect lap, but I did push really hard, especially on the second and third sectors. I'm on good form. In Monza (a couple of weeks ago) I had a podium there as well. The second part of my season has been good. I have been progressing and I know how to give my max."

Richard Bradley, 2nd Rounds 11&12 Qualifying and Top Rookie: "On my first flying lap on my new tyres I was stuck in neutral on the straight, although I still managed to set pole at that time. On my second lap out, I hit the wet and screwed it up. I am confident in what I can do here. I'm having the time of my life. This weekend is very special for me as I'm racing on roads where I usually catch taxis and it's great to be here and to see all my friends in the grandstands."

Kotaro Sakurai, 3rd Rounds 11 and Top Formula BMW Pacific Rookie: "The team said the last lap would be the quickest, so I was trying to find the best places (during the session) so on the last lap I would be quick. I know it was risky, but street circuits are so different, so I was just guessing, guessing everywhere. I just gambled, but I was absolutely sure my last lap would be my quickest. I'm very proud of myself, particularly as (in Japan) people of my age cannot drive on the roads."

-source: fbmw pac