IFM: Series Brno qualifying one report

VARHAUG CLAIMS FIRST POLE IN CZECH REPUBLIC

Jenzer Motorsport's Pål Varhaug claimed his first International Formula Master pole today in Brno, Czech Republic, setting the fastest time of 2:01.124 on his last lap.

The young Norwegian posted his time on a drying track, securing pole position ahead of JD Motorsport's Josef Kral. With a best lap of 2:01.203, also set on his last lap, Kral looked to have secured the top spot until Varhaug crossed the finish line seconds later.

Fellow Jenzer Motorsport driver Fabio Leimer claimed third quickest with a 2:01.545 lap, missing out on pole for the first time this season. Team-mate Nicolas Maulini secured his best IFM qualifying result to date, after completing his fastest lap in 2:01.865, and will start this afternoon's race from fourth place.

JD Motorsport's Sergey Afanasiev posted this morning's fifth fastest lap in 2:01.875, ahead of returning ISR driver Erik Janis. Janis dominated the first part of the qualifying session, sharing the top of the timesheet with team-mate Alexander Rossi; however a lengthy pit stop resulted in sixth fastest (2:02.009) for the Czech driver.

Rossi will start this afternoon's race in eighth place after a best qualifying time of 2:02.737, behind JD Motorsport's Vladimir Arabadzhiev who's quickest lap (2:02.085) placed him seventh fastest.

Newcomer Matteo Davenia qualified fourteenth with a quickest time of 2:06.157 for Cram Competition.

Eurosport's coverage for IFM's race weekend in Brno will begin today with race one shown live from 12:00 (GMT) on Eurosport 2. Sunday's race two will also be broadcast live, on Eurosport International and Asia Pacific, from 09:00 (GMT).

Pål Varhaug, Jenzer Motorsport

"I had some traffic in the first stint and then oversteer developed as the track was drying so we changed the set-up and tyre pressure for the second part. I had a good few laps and really pushed on the last one, hoping to get this result!

"The race could still be a bit unpredictable, it's not certain whether it will rain or not so we will have to see. I will push from the beginning and at least I am in the best starting place."

Josef Kral, JD Motorsport

"In the first stint, I really worked to get the tyres ready and started pushing on my last three laps. I was first when I went into the pits and then it was a matter of waiting for the track to dry.

"In the last few minutes, the track was getting drier and drier and I posted my fastest time on the last lap but Pål [Varhaug] was running half a lap behind me and that was enough of a difference for his lap to be on dryer tarmac than me and his time to be faster."

Fabio Leimer, Jenzer Motorsport

"At the start of qualifying I was drifting throughout my fastest time; I kept feeling the rear of the car turning! I'm happy with third and pleased for Pål. Hopefully the race will be dry; we tested here earlier this year and our set-up is good in those conditions, which would give me a better chance."

-credit: ifm