M2: Indianapolis GP: Marc VDS qualifying report

FRONT ROW START FOR FAUBEL AND REDDING Hector Faubel and Scott Redding will start tomorrow's Indianapolis Grand Prix from the front row, after claiming second and third positions on the grid in a thrilling 45-minute qualifying session this ...

FRONT ROW START FOR FAUBEL AND REDDING

Hector Faubel and Scott Redding will start tomorrow's Indianapolis Grand Prix from the front row, after claiming second and third positions on the grid in a thrilling 45-minute qualifying session this afternoon.

Redding had dominated both free practice sessions at Indianapolis and it was the British teenager who first staked his claim for pole position by setting the fastest time halfway through qualifying. The Gloucestershire teenager held on to the top spot until the final five minutes, when he was demoted to second place by teammate Faubel, who pulled a fast lap seemingly from nowhere to claim the top spot.

Redding immediately fought back, consistently setting the fastest time through the first three sectors, but losing out in the final sector each time as he was baulked by traffic. As a result, Faubel looked set to claim his first ever Moto2 pole position, but lost out to an incredible flying lap from reigning 125cc World Champion, Julian Simon, in the dying moments of the session.

Although both disappointed to miss out on pole position by the narrowest of margins, Faubel and Redding are both confident that they have the race pace to take maximum advantage of their front row grid positions and secure their best results of the season so far in tomorrow's 26-lap Moto2 race.

Hector Faubel #55: 2nd - 1'46.287
"I am happy to be on the front row tomorrow. We have had good pace all weekend, and my lap times have been consistent throughout practice and qualifying, but I was just missing that little bit extra to get me up to the front of the grid. Right at the end of the session Simone Corsi came past me on a fast lap and I managed to tag onto the back of him. That gave me the couple of tenths I was missing and put me at the top of the timesheet with just minutes to go. Unfortunately, Julian Simon pipped me for pole right at the end, but I'm happy enough with second place on the grid. Scott Redding, Simon and Corsi will be the strong riders tomorrow and, if I can get away with them at the start, then I'm confident I can leave here tomorrow with my best result of the season so far."

Scott Redding #45: 3rd - 1'46.334
"Pole position had my name written all over it today, but I lost out to the traffic right at the end. I was fastest halfway through the session, but got pushed back to second place by my own teammate, which was quite rude of him I thought! I had the pace to reclaim the top spot, but every time I was quickest through the first three sectors I got baulked in the fourth. It was incredibly frustrating, as was having Takahashi following me everywhere; he even stopped when I stopped on the side of the track! But, I'm happy to be on the front row for the first time this season. We've got the pace in race trim and the fact that I won't have to fight my way through the field for once means a podium finish tomorrow is a real possibility. That's what I'll be aiming for, anyway."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"After free practice yesterday I had a feeling we would see our best qualifying performance of the season so far, but even I didn't predict we'd see Hector and Scott swapping places at the top of the timesheet and then ending up next to each other on the front row of the grid. It was a fantastic effort by both riders and I'm made up for them and the team, who have all worked so hard this season. Of course, qualifying is one thing and the race is another, but Hector and Scott have shown they have the pace here at Indianapolis and I'd even go as far as to say that we have a real shot at securing our first podium finish of the season here tomorrow."