GP3: Ghiotto beats Ocon to pole for opener

Luca Ghiotto carried his free-practice form into qualifying to claim the first GP3 pole position of the season.

The Italian Trident driver, who also claimed pole at Spa last year on his category debut, was on top of the timesheets ahead of reigning European Formula 3 champion Esteban Ocon heading into the final runs.

Ghiotto looked set to improve his time after setting the fastest time of all in the first two sectors, but he lost half-a-second in the final sector and did not improve on his earlier mark of 1m35.469s. But that was still enough to make sure of pole position, 0.139s ahead of ART Grand Prix driver Ocon, who also did not improve on his final run.

Both Ocon and Ghiotto's final laps were interrupted by a yellow flag caused by Antonio Fuoco, who spun into the gravel at Turn 4. A number of drivers were able to improve on their final runs, however, with Emil Bernstorff improving to take third on the grid ahead of Alex Palou.

Matheo Tuscher and Marvin Kirchhofer also improved to take the third row, although Alfonso Celis Jr. was seventh after not improving on his last un.

Oscar Tunjo, second fastest in yesterday's free practice session, was eighth ahead of Pal Varhaug, with Jimmy Eriksson rounding out the top 10.

STARTING GRID:

Originally on Autosport.com