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Ghiotto edges Ocon to claim pole for GP3 opener

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
Photo: Zak Mauger / GP3 Series Media Service

Photo: Zak Mauger / GP3 Series Media Service

Trident Racing’s Luca Ghiotto showed his practice pace was no fluke by claiming pole position for the first GP3 race of 2015 at Barcelona.

This marks Ghiotto’s second pole in the series, the Italian having topped qualifying on his debut as a guest driver at Spa last year.

This time around, Ghiotto managed a very quick flying lap early in the 30-minute session and would go unmatched, with reigning FIA F3 champion Esteban Ocon coming a tenth behind.

The Trident driver looked set to improve on his benchmark later in the session as he strung together session-best times in sectors one and two, only to be blocked in the final part of the circuit.

But it didn’t end up mattering as Ocon and a number of others were prevented from putting in a late flyer by Carlin’s Antonio Fuoco beaching his rear wheels in the gravel in sector two and bringing out yellow flags.

Arden’s Emil Bernstorff will line up third on the grid ahead of Campos Racing’s Alex Palou, who makes his debut in the series.

Matheo Tuscher and Marvin Kirchhofer will make up row three of the grid, the latter just 0.009s ahead of teammate Alfonso Celis, who made it three ART cars in the top seven.

Oscar Tunjo will start his first race in GP3 from eighth, with experienced drivers Pal Varhaug and Jimmy Eriksson completing the top ten.

Qualifying results
Pos. Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1 Luca Ghiotto Trident 1:35.469 12
2 Esteban Ocon ART Grand Prix 1:35.608 0.139 13
3 Emil Bernstorff Arden International 1:35.800 0.331 14
4 Alex Palou Campos Racing 1:35.846 0.377 13
5 Matheo Tuscher Jenzer Motorsport 1:35.909 0.440 14
6 Marvin Kirchhofer ART Grand Prix 1:35.934 0.465 14
7 Alfonso Celis ART Grand Prix 1:35.943 0.474 13
8 Oscar Tunjo Trident 1:36.047 0.578 11
9 Pal Varhaug Jenzer Motorsport 1:36.082 0.613 11
10 Jimmy Eriksson Koiranen GP 1:36.134 0.665 10
11 Mitch Gilbert Carlin 1:36.143 0.674 11
12 Ralph Boschung Jenzer Motorsport 1:36.160 0.691 12
13 Adderly Fong Koiranen GP 1:36.213 0.744 13
14 Alex Fontana Status Grand Prix 1:36.284 0.815 11
15 Jann Mardenborough Carlin 1:36.305 0.836 11
16 Matt Parry Koiranen GP 1:36.403 0.934 11
17 Artur Janosz Trident 1:36.478 1.009 13
18 Sandy Stuvik Status Grand Prix 1:36.534 1.065 11
19 Kevin Ceccon Arden International 1:36.593 1.124 14
20 Seb Morris Status Grand Prix 1:36.634 1.165 11
21 Antonio Fuoco Carlin 1:36.785 1.316 12
22 Zaid Ashkanani Campos Racing 1:37.288 1.819 13
23 Alex Bosak Arden International 1:37.549 2.080 13