Timo Glock has taken a last gasp pole position in today’s GP2 Series qualifying session at Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to pip his team-mate and this morning’s pace-setter Andi Zuber. The championship leader was on inspired form this afternoon as he gradually reacquainted himself with GP2 machinery, following his F1 testing duties last week and in a session which saw the top 15 drivers covered by exactly one second, he mustered the edge to see off his rivals. Qualifying Report: The session started quickly, with everyone determined to make the best use of the F1 rubber. Two drivers a little too keen to get on with things were Vitaly Petrov and Luca Filippi who rubbed shoulders on their outlaps, causing damage and delay to both drivers’ session. GP2 returnee Ernesto Viso was the first pace setter, stopping the clocks on a 1:24.231, before Giorgio Pantano went top on a 1:23.453. With the Italian’s time already half a second within last year’s pole, expectation on a lightening session was already high.
Timo put in an early screamer on 1:22.479, before Lucas di Grassi stole his thunder on a 1:22.337 with a third of the half hour session gone. There was little change over the next few minutes and at half distance, Lucas led Timo, Andreas, Bruno Senna, Pastor Maldonado and Kazuki Nakajima. With ten minutes left on the clock, there was a sudden exodus from the pits as everyone went out for one more go. Bruno topped the list first with a 1:22.255 before Andi took top spot with a 1:22.120 on the next lap. But Timo had saved his best ‘till last, and snatched pole away from his team-mate with a stunning final lap of 1:21.895. It had been an incredibly close and fast session, with pole 2.1 seconds faster than in 2006, and the top 15 drivers covered by exactly one second as the chequered flag fell. Timo had his second pole of the season, and iSport their second 1-2 of 2007. Bruno sat third, ahead of Lucas, Giorgio and an inspired Roldan Rodriguez. Of the GP2 returnees, Michael Ammermuller pulled out 12th, with Adam Carroll 14th and Ernesto Viso 19th.
1st Timo Glock, iSport International. 1:21.895 Andi was quickest this morning, so I thought it would be difficult in qualifying today, but I jumped in the car and the first lap was alright and I already knew that I could go a couple of tenths faster and could be confident, the team did a good job again, and that's the reason we're on pole. Andi is second, which is good, and another two points for the championship, which is important.
2nd Andi Zuber, iSport International. +0.102 I thought we would be quick in qualifying - I was expecting pole position, but after my first set when we had some troubles I think I was fourth or third and I thought it would be quite close, but to be honest I'm happy with second place.
3rd Bruno Senna, Arden International. +0.360 We have shown historically that we have a good car for the races - our car is consistent, and it's fast - so I hope that tomorrow we have a strong race.
