Home Z - Archive seriesGP3 Lynn claims pole for GP3 debut in Barcelona

Lynn claims pole for GP3 debut in Barcelona

by Peter Allen
Alex Lynn

Photo: Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series Media Service

GP3 newcomer Alex Lynn backed up his status as pre-season favourite by claiming pole position for the first race of the year in Barcelona.

The winter recruit to the Red Bull Junior Team was lurking behind top spot for much of the session as German F3 Marvin Kirchhofer led the way. Lynn was able to improve with a few minutes left on the clock and claim top spot, with none of the other leading drivers able to improve late on.

Kirchhofer finished up second, 0.112s off pole. Practice pace-setter Richie Stanaway claimed third for his single-seater racing return, while Jimmy Eriksson and Patrick Kujala demonstrated their off-season progress to complete the top five.

Dino Zamparelli was in the mix throughout the session and ended up sixth ahead of Lynn’s Carlin team-mate Emil Bernstorff, while Alex Fontana ensured all three ART cars were in the top eight.

Jenzer Motorsport duo Pal Varhaug and Matheo Tuscher completed the top ten. Expected contender Nick Yelloly was 11th ahead of Patric Niederhauser, who stopped on track after the chequered flag, and Dean Stoneman, who had a high-speed spin at Campsa late on.

Qualifying times
Pos Driver? Team Time? Gap Laps?
1 Alex Lynn Carlin 1:35.614 13
2 Marvin Kirchhofer ART Grand Prix 1:35.726 0.112 13
3 Richie Stanaway Status Grand Prix 1:35.784 0.170 13
4 Jimmy Eriksson Koiranen GP 1:35.904 0.290 12
5 Patrick Kujala Marussia Manor Racing 1:35.970 0.356 11
6 Dino Zamparelli ART Grand Prix 1:36.015 0.401 11
7 Emil Bernstorff Carlin 1:36.136 0.522 12
8 Alex Fontana ART Grand Prix 1:36.151 0.537 12
9 Pal Varhaug Jenzer Motorsport 1:36.165 0.551 13
10 Matheo Tuscher Jenzer Motorsport 1:36.210 0.596 14
11 Nick Yelloly Status Grand Prix 1:36.230 0.616 13
12 Patric Niederhauser Arden International 1:36.276 0.662 13
13 Dean Stoneman Marussia Manor Racing 1:36.375 0.761 11
14 Roman de Beer Trident 1:36.579 0.965 11
15 Robert Visoiu Arden International 1:36.711 1.097 12
16 Ryan Cullen Marussia Manor Racing 1:36.759 1.145 12
17 Adderly Fong Jenzer Motorsport 1:36.787 1.173 13
18 Jann Mardenborough Arden International 1:36.871 1.257 12
19 Victor Carbone Trident 1:37.023 1.409 12
20 Nelson Mason Hilmer Motorsport 1:37.084 1.470 12
21 Luis Sa Silva Carlin 1:37.163 1.549 11
22 Santiago Urrutia Koiranen GP 1:37.166 1.552 11
23 Alfonso Celis Status Grand Prix 1:37.300 1.686 12
24 Beitske Visser Hilmer Motorsport 1:37.406 1.792 13
25 Ivan Taranov Hilmer Motorsport 1:38.071 2.457 5
26 Denis Nagulin Trident 1:38.203 2.589 12
27 Carmen Jorda Koiranen GP 1:38.694 3.080 12