America's Ferrucci claims British F3 pole at Brands Hatch

American Santino Ferrucci (pictured) claimed pole position for his first British Formula 3 race at Brands Hatch – with just 17 laps under his belt in the Fortec car, at the track and on the Cooper tires. In fact, Ferruci looked to have done enough to claim poles for both of the triple-header races for which qualifying is held, until Martin Cao's last-lap effort for race 3, despite going for only one qualifying run.

On second-best times, Ferrucci claimed pole for Saturday afternoon's opening race of the weekend by just 0.023 seconds. The spectacular Ferrucci elected to keep one set of tires fresh for the races, and declared the Brands Grand Prix circuit to be his second favourite track, behind Spa.

"The track is phenomenal – I love it," said the 16-year-old Ferrucci. "The elevation change is incredible. You have to really go for it, but it has no forgiveness."

Carlin's Peter Li put in his best performance so far to claim third on the grid for both races, while championship leader Matt Rao only lifted himself to fourth right at the end of the session.

Rao's late effort in race 2 qualifying demoted Camren Kaminsky, who went off at Sheene Curve late in the session but narrowly headed Double R Racing teammate Dan Wells, who is making his F3 race debut this weekend. On second-best times, Wells reversed the positions by taking fifth from Kaminsky.

Max Marshall, driving Double R's older-spec car, brings up the rear for both races.