Formula Renault 3.5
The final qualifying session of the season took place on a wet track and Jules Bianchi began with an off-course excursion! However, the Frenchman managed to get back on the track. Antonio Felix da Costa stalled his car at the end of the pit lane and lost a few minutes.
On the soaking wet circuit Mikhail Aleshin was the first to bang in a quick lap in 1m 53.112secs. He topped the time sheets from Robin Frijns and Arthur Pic when the session was red-flagged after Nicolay Martsenko’s off.
The situation did not evolve until after the drivers shod new rubber. Aleshin was still quickest from Pic while da Costa shot up into third just in front of Frijns. Bianchi could do no better than seventh spot and Sam Bird was down in sixteenth.
Mikhail Aleshin: “Setting pole is the best way to thank the team. The track was faster at the start of the session. I was lucky enough to have a good car and get in a good lap. The race is another story and it would be great to end the RFR team’s adventure on a high note!”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.