elipe Nasr saved the best for last at Snetterton this morning, pipping his Carlin team-mate Kevin Magnussen to double pole position honours in the closing moments of official qualifying at Snetterton for the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series.

The Brazilian’s best lap of 1m 39.147s was comfortably the quickest yet seen at the new Snetterton 300 circuit in Norfolk and was a yawning third of a second ahead of Magnussen’s best. For good measure Nasr’s second-fastest time, 1m 39.549s, was a fraction better than his Danish rival’s so Felipe will start both this afternoon’s Round 7 and Sunday’s Round 9 from the top spot.

Magnussen had held the pole position for both races until the final five minutes of the session, when Nasr’s pace suddenly rocketed. “I couldn’t get it all together on my first set of tyres,” said Felipe, “but I wasn’t worried because I knew I would be quick on my second set. It will be key here to start from the front, so I am very pleased. Now I am looking forward to a perfect weekend.” Magnussen could not hide his disappointment: “It’s a shame,” he shrugged.

Ipswich man Rupert Svendsen-Cook put his local knowledge to good use to set third-best time overall, ahead of 2009 Snetterton British Formula 3 race winner Riki Christodoulou (Hitech). Carlin men Carlos Huertas and Jazeman Jaafar completed the top six, with Hitech’s Pietro Fantin seventh

The best of the Mercedes-powered runners was Double R’s Pipo Derani in eighth, ahead of top Fortec runner Harry Tincknell and Hywel Lloyd P10 for Sino Vision. Bart Hylkema, T-Sport’s Rookie, outpaced his class rival Kotaro Sakurai by a second.

British Formula 3 enjoys the headlining support of Cooper Tires and is additionally backed by Sunoco Racing Fuels, Anglo American Oil Company and OAMPS.

Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series

Provisional qualifying times, Snetterton / 14/5/2011

Championship class

1  Felipe NASR / BRA,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.147s

2  Kevin MAGNUSSEN / DEN,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.486s

3  Rupert SVENDSEN-COOK / GBR,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.650s

4  Riki CHRISTODOULOU / GBR,  Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.810s

5  Carlos HUERTAS / COL,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.817s

6  Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.883s

7  Pietro FANTIN / BRA,  Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen  1m 39.990s

8  Pipo DERANI / BRA,  Double R Dallara-Mercedes  1m 40.088s

9  Harry TINCKNELL / GBR,  Fortec Dallara-Mercedes  1m 40.142s

10  Hywel LLOYD / GBR,  Sino Vision Dallara-Mercedes  1m 40.201s etc

Rookie class

1  Bart HYLKEMA / NED,  T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda  1m 42.400s

2  Kotaro SAKURAI / JPN,  Hitech Dallara-Mugen Honda  1m 43.620s