EU 2.0: Series Silverstone qualifying report

Two poles for Bottas

Just as he did at Spa-Francorchamps, Valtteri Bottas (Motopark Academy) showed irresistible form in this morning's qualifying session, winning pole position for both of the weekend's races in comprehensive fashion. Dean Smith (Fortec Motorsport) also shone on his home patch, winning a place on the front row for race 1, while Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula) will line up alongside Bottas in race 2.

Group B

Group B were up first, and Daniel Zampieri (BVM Minardi Team) and Michele Faccin (Jenzer Motorsport) dominated the early part of the session. Faccin was leading at the halfway stage, ahead of Pal Varhaug (Jenzer Motorsport) and Zampieri. Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula) then came to the fore, clocking the best time in the group with 1'45''996, just ahead of Zampieri. Mathieu Arzeno (Epsilon Sport) was third.

Group A

Pablo Montilla (Epsilon Euskadi) set the pace early on. Cesar Ramos (BVM Minardi Team) then moved past him into top spot, before crashing off at Copse as Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) moved into the lead with a time of 1'45''415. Ramos's best time would subsequently be cancelled, as his slip-up brought the session under full yellow. Denied a place in the SuperPole, the Brazilian will now start from the back of the grid.

There were less than three minutes remaining when the green flags came back out, giving Bottas just enough time for one lap, of which he took full advantage. His time of 1'45''143 put him top, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Roberto Merhi, with Dean Smith nipping in at the death to claim the last place in the SuperPole.

SuperPole

The session began with a duel between Roberto Merhi (Epsilon Euskadi) and Dean Smith (Fortec Motorsport). The Brit took the lead with a lap timed at 1'46''432, before the Epsilon Sport boys took control, Mathieu Arzeno claiming first place ahead of his teammate Stephane Richelmi. Albert Costa (Epsilon Euskadi) then sneaked in between those two as the yellow flag was brought out after Nathanael Berthon (Boutsen Energy Racing) ran off.

Shortly afterwards, Valtteri Bottas (Motopark Academy) moved into first position with a time of 1'44''522. As the end of the session approached, the times got quicker. Dean Smith moved back up to second, while Andrea Caldarelli and Jean-Eric Vergne (SG Formula) clocked the third and fourth fastest times.

Just before the chequered flag, Valtteri Bottas improved on his time with 1'44''492, enough to secure him pole position for both races. On the grid for race 1, the Finn will start just ahead of Dean Smith and Andrea Caldarelli, while for the weekend's second race, Andrea Caldarelli and Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) and Michele Faccin (Jenzer Motorsport) will be closest to the poleman.

Valtteri Bottas: "This is a good result - you can't hope for better than two poles! I've been driving quickly all weekend. Everything's working really well for the time being. I was a bit concerned when the yellow flag came out, but I managed to get my times in when it mattered. I was really tight on every bend, but I didn't make a single mistake and put in two perfect laps."

Andrea Caldarelli: "I'm happy, as my weekend got off to a bad start. We found the setup that had eluded us during testing. I'm confident about my prospects in the race as I think we've got a good car now."

-credit: wsbyrenault.com