Home Formula 3GB3 Palmer dominates qualifying at Brands, HHC lock out front row

Palmer dominates qualifying at Brands, HHC lock out front row

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

BRDC F4 title favorite Will Palmer made a statement of intent in qualifying at Brands Hatch, heading an HHC 1-2 with teammate Harrison Newey.

The duo secured the squad’s fourth front row lockout of the year from five qualifying sessions.

Championship leader Palmer, who looked untouchable in morning practice, had little trouble confirming his pace as he established a solid early lead.

Newey got within six tenths at halfway point but wouldn’t manage to claw any more time out of his teammate.

As such, despite the fact that Palmer called his run early after six laps – the least of anyone on the grid – he would not be troubled for pole.

Ciaran Haggerty of GBR/Ecurie Ecosse recorded his personal best qualifying effort of the season in third and was the last driver within a second of the dominant poleman.

CDR teammates Tom Jackson and Omar Ismail followed in fourth and fifth, separated by just 0.02s, with Jack Lang a further 0.04s behind.

Rodrigo Fonseca was the top Lanan in seventh in what was a difficult session for the reigning champions as Jack Bartholomew split Jordan Albert and Sisa Ngebulana in ninth, while Chris Mealin languished in 14th.

The session was called two minutes early due to a red flag.

Qualifying results
Pos. Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 Will Palmer HHC Motorsport 1:24.685 6
2 Harrison Newey HHC Motorsport 1:25.314 0.629 10
3 Ciaran Haggerty GBR/Ecurie Ecosse 1:25.540 0.855 12
4 Tom Jackson Chris Dittmann Racing 1:25.692 1.007 11
5 Omar Ismail Chris Dittmann Racing 1:25.714 1.029 12
6 Jack Lang Lang Sport 1:25.751 1.066 10
7 Rodrigo Fonseca Lanan Racing 1:26.268 1.583 11
8 Jordan Albert Sean Walkinshaw Racing 1:26.287 1.602 11
9 Jack Bartholomew Lanan Racing 1:26.459 1.774 11
10 Sisa Ngebulana HHC Motorsport 1:26.465 1.780 10
11 Michael O’Brien MGR 1:26.535 1.850 11
12 Ameya Vaidyanathan Hillspeed 1:26.537 1.852 11
13 Akhil Rabindra Douglas Motorsport 1:26.597 1.912 10
14 Chris Mealin Lanan Racing 1:26.758 2.073 11
15 Fernando Urrutia Douglas Motorsport 1:27.129 2.444 11
16 Zubair Hoque Sean Walkinshaw Racing 1:27.315 2.630 11
17 Al Faisal Al Zubair Hillspeed 1:27.546 2.861 11
18 James Reveler 23 Racing 1:28.872 4.187 11
19 Joe Stables JR Racing 1:29.794 5.109 10