Jean-Eric Vergne beat engine problems at Hockenheim Friday afternoon to set the pace in qualifying for the German rounds of the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. The fast Frenchman was the only driver in the 21-strong field to break the 1m 34s barrier, lapping the German Grand Prix track in 1m 33.779s in his Red Bull-backed Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen.
Jean-Eric was four-tenths quicker than his closest rival, but more relieved than happy after the session. "I only got about four flying laps," said Vergne, "before the engine developed some problems. I was quite lucky."
Every driver in the field "lost" at least one quick time, stewards judging that they had cut corners in their pursuit of a top grid slot. Of the quicker men, Vergne was among the best behaved.
Second quickest in the session was Hitech's Brazilian ace Gabriel Dias, with his countryman Adriano Buzaid third fastest for Carlin. Championship leader Oli Webb endured some technical issues with his Fortec machine and wound up fifth on the timesheet, and top Mercedes-powered runner.
Wayne Boyd made a welcome return to the championship, the Ulsterman slotting into the vacant Sino Vision Racing seat alongside Adderly Fong. Wayne set 15th best time, three-tenths ahead of his team-mate.
James Cole won the battle for National Class honours, pipping his class rival and T-Sport team-mate Menasheh Idafar to top spot by three-thousandths.
The session was red-flagged for a spell after Alex Brundle ran out of road in his T-Sport Dallara-Volkswagen; it was Alex's second accident at Hockenheim, the Norfolk driver having damaged his car yesterday in testing. Brundle set 13th-best time before his off.
Rounds 10 and 11 of the championship are scheduled for today; Round 12 takes place on Sunday.
Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International SeriesProvisional qualifying times, Hockenheim (GER) 28/5/2010
International Class1 Jean-Eric VERGNE / FRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 33.779s2 Gabriel DIAS / BRA, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 34.199s3 Adriano BUZAID / BRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 34.263s4 William BULLER / GBR, Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 34.407s5 Oli WEBB / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 34.517s6 Daisuke NAKAJIMA / JPN, RR Dallara-Mercedes 1m 34.579s7 Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 650s8 Rupert SVENDSEN-COOK / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 34.740s9 Carlos HUERTAS / COL, RR Dallara-Mercedes 1m 34.844s10 Daniel McKENZIE / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 34.39s etc
National Class1 James COLE / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m 35.543s2 Menasheh IDAFAR / GBR, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m 35.546s
