Jagonya Ayam with Carlin’s Tom Blomqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi will start tomorrow’s opening race of the FIA Formula Three European Championship weekend in Austria on the second row of the grid. Both drivers enjoyed a strong session and were both battling for the top spot throughout. As the flag fell they were third and fourth and as a result will line up on the grid next to each other. Team mate Sean Gelael also had a solid session and will start from 15th overall as the race gets underway tomorrow morning.
It was a slow start to the session as many drivers opted to take to the track a little later however as the drivers made their way out for the 20 minute qualifying session Giovinazzi, who had topped both earlier practice sessions, was one of the early movers. He, along with team mate Blomqvist, was soon running in the top five.
However the times were dropping very quickly and no sooner were the times set, they were falling far down the field as they were improved upon by other drivers. When things did settle down a little with about five minutes of the session remaining Giovinazzi was second, Blomqvist seventh and Gelael 16th overall.
As expected the final few minutes were another rush for position. Giovinazzi, who had made a little mistake, came into the pits from second overall, leaving him just enough time for one final lap. Meanwhile Blomqvist and Gelael were still on track and setting quicker times with their efforts.
Blomqvist briefly went into provisional pole position however Esteban Ocon snatched it away from him just moments later in a position he would keep as the session reached its conclusion. Blomqvist and Giovinazzi’s laps were good enough to see them line up next to one another on the second row of the grid – the pair will start in third and fourth respectively. Gelael meanwhile had been struggling with getting his tyres up to temperature and ended the session in 16th – a position where he will be keen to fight for further points from.
Speaking of his qualifying, Blomqvist said, ‘It was another strong session for us however it was so tight for the positions at the top. We made a few changes after qualifying and the car felt great – I think pole was definitely there for us but I just made a small mistake on my final lap. But we can come out fighting in the race tomorrow and also for the second qualifying.’
Giovinazzi added, ‘It was an OK qualifying for us, we were fastest this morning so we knew that we had the speed. There was a little mistake so I came in the pits but had another lap left so could head out. Overall I’d say that we’re looking pretty good for the remainder of the weekend.’
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