Spa GP3: Russell grabs pole on drying track

After the end of Formula 2 qualifying, further rain fell on the Belgian track, meaning conditions stayed wet but drying for the entire session.

Mercedes junior Russell took a lead of nearly two seconds in the first 10 minutes, his time then staying unbeaten until the start of the final runs.

Jenzer's Arjun Maini demoted him with a 2m27.741s, but Russell quickly responded with a 2m27.227s.

Russell's time was not challenged again, but Maini dropped down to third, as Fukuzumi managed to narrowly outpace the Indian for a front row spot.

The third ART car of Jack Aitken was fourth, followed by DAMS driver Matthieu Vaxiviere, who took an impressive fifth in his only second outing in the championship.

Trident duo Dorian Boccolacci and Ryan Tveter were sixth and seventh respectively, ahead of Arden's Steijn Schothorst.

Campos rookie Julien Falchero was ninth with Sauber protege Tatiana Calderon (DAMS) completing the top 10 and equalling her career-best grid slot.

Alessio Lorandi took 11th, the Italian escaping small contact with Russell at La Source, when the former rejoined the ideal line after running wide, and his right-rear tyre touched the ART driver's front-left.

GP3 debutant Juan Manuel Correa (Jenzer) was last, 3.5s off the pace and six tenths slower than 19th-placed Bruno Baptista.