Jenzer Motorsport's Fabio Leimer claimed his fourth International Formula Master (IFM) pole position, for the Series' eleventh round at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
Despite an incident at the start of the 30-minute session, which saw the young Swiss pit with a loose front wing, Leimer was able to post fastest laps towards the end of qualifying and secure a front row start for this afternoon's race.
With a best time of 2:12.885, Leimer will start ahead of ISR's Alexander Rossi, who clinched P2 thanks to a quickest lap of 2:12.946. The American looked strong throughout the morning, posting the top time no fewer than three times.
IFM's Talent Support Program driver Alexander Sims will start the Series' eleventh round from third on the grid thanks to a best lap of 2:13.205, whilst Iris Project's Simon Trummer secured the best qualifying position of his IFM career with fourth place.
After running fastest in yesterday's free practice, Trummer completed his best lap in 2:13.255 and will start today's race with team-mate Patrick Reiterer, who drove his quickest lap in 2:13.283, behind him in fifth.
JD Motorsport's Sergey Afanasiev posted the sixth fastest time (2:13.290), whilst team-mate Josef Kral's best lap of 2:13.560 places him seventh on the grid alongside ISR's Erik Janis (2:13.590).
The field of young IFM drivers posted competitive laps throughout the session with one second covering the top eleven times. This afternoon's race will take place at 17.30 local time, with Eurosport's coverage beginning at 19.30 (CET) on Eurosport 2. Sunday's race two will be broadcasted on Eurosport International, from 08.30 (CET).
Fabio Leimer, Jenzer Motorsport"I don't know what happened with my front wing but I had luck as I was able to come in to the pits. I had to push on the second set of tyres and in the end it was enough to make pole. I'm pretty happy to get P1 during the Formula 1 weekend because the last event [Hungarian Grand Prix] wasn't so good for me. We will try to win today's race!"
Alexander Rossi, ISR"After I made a mistake in the beginning of the session, I took a couple of laps before I started pushing again. I knew that the car and the track were good so I thought the times would be quick although I didn't expect them to be as quick as they were. I did a 2:12.8-lap but I knew people would be coming in faster afterwards so I'm pretty happy to be on the front row."
Alexander Sims, TSP"We made a couple of adjustments between the first and second set of tyres and the pace of the car was fantastic. It's a shame not to get pole as we are only three tenths from it but we can still find speed in the car, as well as in my driving, and it's not a bad place to start from the grid. Providing we get a half a decent start, we should be able to go for the win."
International Formula Master - Spa-FrancorchampsQualifying (Round 11)1. Fabio Leimer (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport (#6), 2:12.8852. Alexander Rossi (USA), ISR (#16), 2:12.9463. Alexander Sims (GBR), TSP (#40), 2:13.2054. Simon Trummer (SUI), Iris Project (#8), 2:13.2555. Patrick Reiterer (ITA), Iris Project (#9), 2:13.2836. Sergey Afanasiev (RUS), JD Motorsport (#2), 2:13.2907. Josef Kral (CZH), JD Motorsport (#3), 2:13.5608. Erik Janis (CZH), ISR (#20), 2:13.5909. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport (#1), 2:13.60510. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), Cram Competition (#5), 2:13.64111. Samuele Buttarelli (ITA), TSP (#41), 2:13.79012. Pål Varhaug (NOR), Jenzer Motorsport (#7), 2:14.06113. Tiago Petiz (POR), Cram Competition (#4), 2:14.14814. Nicolas Maulini (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport (#26), 2:14.61315. Kelvin Snoeks (NED), AR Motorsport (#31), 2:15.23116. Andrea Roda (ITA), TSP (#43), 2:16.89217. Edwin Jowsey (GBR), TSP (#44), 2:17.803
