Oakes takes maiden F3 pole position

Oliver Oakes took his first British Formula 3 pole position in a damp qualifying session at Donington Park this afternoon.

He will start tomorrow's second race from the front after setting a time on slicks early in the session that nobody could get near.

The track was greasy as the half hour session got underway, but increasing rain prevented anyone from improving their time after the first 15 minutes and the drivers were forced to pit for wets.

Jaime Alguersuari's title push received a huge boost as his best time on slicks was good enough for a place on the front row, while championship leader Oliver Turvey did not set a competitive time on dry tyres and could only manage 14th place on wets.

Alguersuari will now start both of tomorrow's races from the front row, with Turvey third and 14th with just a 12-point championship lead.

Sergio Perez qualified third this afternoon, with Nick Tandy, Marcus Ericsson, and Brendon Hartley completing the top six.

Jay Bridger again led the National Class runners in seventh with Steven Guerrero eighth. Sam Abay and debutant Dean Smith rounded out the top ten, with John Martin, Henry Surtees, and Atte Mustonen all qualifying ahead of Turvey as well.

Pos Driver Team Car Time 1. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:09.294 2. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:09.931 3. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:10.063 4. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:10.084 5. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:10.139 6. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:10.212 7. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:10.263 8. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:10.283 9. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:10.333 10. Dean Smith Fortec D/M 1:10.359 11. John Martin Double R D/M 1:10.507 12. Henry Surtees Carlin (N) D/H 1:10.514 13. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:10.536 14. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:10.657 15. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:10.765 16. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:11.120 17. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:11.135 18. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:11.810 19. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:12.081 20. Clemente Faria Jr Cesario D/H 1:12.140 21. Adriano Buzaid Carlin (N) D/H 1:12.426 22. Jonathan Legris Litespeed S/H 1:12.677 23. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:13.666 24. Callum MacLeod T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.729

Penalties give Alguersuari pole