SPEEDTV.com
- ️Fri Nov 18 2005
F3 - Loic Duval Scores Pole at Macau
Written by: Cassio Cortes Macau, China – 11/18/2005
With the absences of Euro F3 champion Lewis Hamilton and British F3 titlist Alvaro Parente, Duval is considered the early favorite at Macau. (LAT Photo)
Euro F3 regular Loic Duval paced this Fridays second qualifying session to take the pole position for Saturdays 10-lap qualification race at the Macau Grand Prix, which defines the grid for the main, 15-lap event on Sunday. With the absences of Euro F3 champion Lewis Hamilton and British F3 titlist Alvaro Parente, Duval is considered the early favorite to win the all-star race.
The Frenchman edged Brazilian Lucas di Grassi by over half a second, with provisional pole sitter Robert Kubica of Poland - this years World Series by Renault champion - ending up third.
After placing 19th yesterday, American Charlie Kimball improved to 12th on qualifying two, good enough to place him 13th on the combined results. His fellow British F3 competitor Bruno Senna, nephew of the late Ayrton, ended up 22nd.
The session was red-flagged four times, making it difficult for drivers to get a good chance at a clean lap.
"For sure it was a very difficult session, " Duval admitted. "I felt I could be on pole here and although I know it is sometimes not best to be on pole position for the first race, because of the long straight after the start, I still hope to have a good race."
Macau F3 Grand Prix - Qualification race starting lineup:
1) Loic Duval, Dallara Mercedes-HWA, 2:11.348
2) Lucas Di Grassi, Dallara Mercedes-HWA, 2:11.913 + 0.565
3) Robert Kubica, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:12.163 + 0.815
4) Mike Conway, Dallara Mercedes-HWA, 2:12.254 + 0.906
5) Franck Perera, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:13.228 + 1.880
6) Paolo Montin, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:13.236 + 1.888
7) Joao P De Oliveira, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:13.247 + 1.899
8) Kazuki Nakajima, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:13.273 + 1.925
9) Fabio Carbone, SLC Opel-Spiess, 2:13.306 + 1.958
10) Guillaume Moreau, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:13.337 + 1.989
11) Naoki Yokomizo, Dallara Nissan-Tomei, 2:13.515 + 2.167
12) Sebastian Vettel, Dallara Mercedes-HWA, 2:13.593 + 2.245
13) Charlie Kimball, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:14.000 + 2.652
14) Danny Watts, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:14.031 + 2.683
15) Christian Bakkerud, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:14.127 + 2.779
16) Kohei Hirate, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:14.280 + 2.932
17) Karl Reindler, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:14.283 + 2.935
18) Taku Bamba, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:14.728 + 3.380
19) Dan Clarke, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:14.768 + 3.420
20) Romain Grosjean, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:14.847 + 3.499
21) Stephen Jelley, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:15.083 + 3.735
22) Bruno Senna, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:15.520 + 4.172
23) Daisuke Ikeda, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:15.891 + 4.543
24) Steven Kane, Lola Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:16.052 + 4.704
25) Rodolfo Avila, Dallara Mercedes HWA, 2:17.219 + 5.871
26) Fillip Salaquarda, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:17.574 + 6.226
27) Michael Ho, Dallara Toyota-Tom's, 2:18.117 + 6.769
28) Cheong Lou Meng, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:19.887 + 8.539
29) Lei Kit Meng, Dallara Opel-Spiess, 2:22.497 + 11.149
30) Jo Merszei, Dallara Honda-Mugen/NB, 2:24.177 + 12.829