FR3.5: Rowland beats Stockinger to pole

Championship leader Oliver Rowland claimed his third Formula Renault 3.5 pole position of the season at the Red Bull Ring. The Racing Steps-backed Briton set his fastest lap of 1m17.641s two minutes before the checkered flag in the half-hour session.

Fortec driver Rowland edged out Lotus twins Marlon Stockinger and title contender Matthieu Vaxiviere by two tenths of a second, and admitted the result had been a surprise after a tough free practice session on Saturday morning.

"To be honest, I just drove like a nutter and the car stayed on the road," said Rowland. "I wasn't expecting to set pole. We were in trouble in practice this morning, but we made quite a lot of changes and the car is better.

"The times are a lot slower than this morning because the temperature has risen and, perhaps, because of the ELMS rubber. There is still more to come, though. I am not entirely satisfied with the car balance. If I want another pole this afternoon I am going to really have to work for it."

Front-row starting FR3.5 returnee Stockinger has recent experience of the Spielberg track from contesting the GP2 meeting last month for his regular team Status. He is racing in FR3.5 this weekend as Lotus has parted company with Meindert van Buuren.

Saturday practice pacesetter Dean Stoneman will join Vaxiviere on the second row of Sunday morning's opening race after recording the fourth fastest time.

Manor Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi will start fifth for Pons, ahead of Stoneman's DAMS teammate Nyck de Vries, who fleetingly held provisional pole in the closing minutes.

The session was red-flagged as it entered its final third when Draco driver Pietro Fantin stopped at Turn 1. Fantin is under investigation and could lose his fastest lap for causing the stoppage.

Monaco winner Jazeman Jaafar's tough Saturday continued. After complaining of grip issues in practice, the Malaysian could only manage 15th fastest in qualifying.

QUALIFYING ONE:

Originally on Autosport.com