Ericsson takes maiden pole at Croft

Marcus Ericsson took his maiden British Formula 3 pole position in first qualifying at Croft today.

The Swedish rookie, who has a share in the championship lead after the opening rounds at Oulton Park last month, pulled out a 1:12.7 second lap towards the end of the half hour session to snatch pole from Esteban Guerrieri, who held the top spot for much of the session.

Sergio Perez proved that the Mugen-Honda engine is just as strong as the Mercedes by putting it on the front row, ahead of Ericsson's Fortec Motorsport team-mate Sebastian Hohenthal who was third.

Michael Devaney and Guerrieri ended up fourth and fifth for Ultimate Motorsport, in the best showing so far for the new Mygale chassis.

Carlin Motorsport lost the dominance they enjoyed at Oulton, but are still in touch with their four drivers qualifying sixth, seventh, ninth, and 10th, sandwiching Ricardo Teixeira in the third Ultimate car.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:12.733 2. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:12.867 +0.134 3. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:12.937 +0.204 4. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:12.965 +0.232 5. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:12.979 +0.246 6. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:13.015 +0.282 7. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:13.077 +0.344 8. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:13.077 +0.344 9. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:13.142 +0.409 10. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:13.222 +0.489 11. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:13.264 +0.531 12. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:13.268 +0.535 13. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 1:13.389 +0.656 14. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:13.468 +0.735 15. John Martin Double R D/M 1:13.587 +0.854 16. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:13.629 +0.896 17. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:13.719 +0.986 18. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:13.723 +0.990 19. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.109 +1.376 20. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:14.250 +1.517 21. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:14.317 +1.584 22. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:14.609 +1.876 23. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.930 +2.197 24. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:15.023 +2.290 25. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:15.031 +2.298 26. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:15.098 +2.365 27. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:15.304 +2.571 28. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:15.562 +2.829 29. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:20.228 +7.495(D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Ericsson tops Rockingham test