NA: Mid-Ohio qualifying summary

16-year old Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational), of Nevada City, Calif., had the pace of this weekend's Formula BMW Americas field taking the pole position for both Rounds 5 and 6. Rossi, the winner of Round 4, now has two consecutive and four career Formula BMW poles.

Round 5 -

The fastest driver in both Friday practice sessions, Rossi's lap of 1:26.589 minutes around the 2.4-mile, 10-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in yesterday's qualifying session was .873 seconds quicker then Eurointernational teammate Ricardo Favoretto. Maxime Pelletier (Apex-HBR Racing Team) was 1.167 seconds behind Rossi and will start in the third position. Rookie Giancarlo Vilarinho (Eurointernational) qualified fourth for the 16-year old Brazilian's best qualifying effort to date. Overall and Rookie point leader Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica) rounded out the top-five qualifiers.

Round 6 -

Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) rose to the top for a second time this weekend and scored the pole for Round 6. Continuing to improve with every session and reset his career-best effort, Eurointernational teammate Giancarlo Vilarinho qualified second with a 1:27.019 minute lap to lead all Rookie drivers. Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica) moved up two positions from Round 5 qualifying and will start third. Ricardo Favoretto (Eurointernational) qualified fourth and David Ostella (Eurointernational) qualified fifth.

The entire field qualified within 1.282 seconds of Rossi's pole time.

Alexander Rossi 1st/1st
"In the second qualifying session the track was little cooler and cleaner than yesterday. I am really happy with my car set up this weekend. Eurointernational worked hard to give me a really good car. There was a lot of traffic so I had to take that into consideration. I pushed hard. I knew Ricardo was pushing hard too, so that made me work even harder. Two poles, I couldn't be happier."

Giancarlo Vilharinho 4th/ 2nd
"After yesterday's fourth place qualifying finish, I walked the track and focused on specific areas to improve. I put what I learned into practice today and I improved to second place. A second place position for Round 6 is really great. I am happy from Canadian Grand Prix podium and I look forward to two strong races tomorrow."

The Round 5 race is scheduled to start at 10:35 a.m. tomorrow with the Round 6 contest beginning at 3:45 p.m.

-credit: bmw.usa