Palmer takes first pole of the season

Date published : 17 Apr 2010 - 14:04:00

Formula 2 news Palmer takes first pole of the season17 April 2010 / Results / PhotosJolyon Palmer claimed a dramatic pole position for the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship at Silverstone today (Saturday), after the young Briton set the quickest time in the final seconds of the session. Johan Jokinen looked to have claimed top spot on his F2 qualifying debut, but the Danish driver had to settle for second following Palmer's late effort. Dean Stoneman led the session at the halfway stage, but ended up third at the finish. The 30 minutes of action began in frenetic fashion with with Ivan Samarin, Benjamin Lariche, Jolyon Palmer and Johan Jokinen all spending time at the top during the opening ten minutes. As the majority of cars pitted for new rubber, Dean Stoneman enjoyed the freedom of the circuit to set the quickest time of the session so far. Jokinen hit the top with ten minutes remaining, followed by Stoneman, Palmer and series returnee Philipp Eng. Russian racer Sergey Afanasiev then briefly moved into second before a flurry of changes were made to the top order. Eng went on to set the fastest first sector and his personal best in the second section of the track, before a small mistake late on prevented him from improving. He did however better his time shortly after, only to be pipped again by Palmer who was building up his pace in the final moments. Palmer was one of the last drivers to cross the line as the chequered flag waved and his lap was good enough to secure a fantastic pole position. Eng dropped to fourth behind Joken and Stoneman, whilst Afanasiev completed the top five. Will Bratt enjoyed a steady introduction to F2 qualifying and will be happy to take a top six grid slot at his home circuit, whilst Kazim Vasiliauskas improved late on to take seventh. Jack Clarke, Mihai Marinescu and Benjamin Lariche rounded out the top ten. The session passed largely without incident although Ajith Kumar endured a brief spin and Tom Gladdis returned to the circuit after a trip through the gravel.