Formula Renault 3.5
This morning the track was dry for the first qualifying session of the weekend at the Hungaroring. Robin Frijns set the pace in the early laps, and the current leader of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series was the first to break the 1m 30s barrier. When the drivers came in to change their tyres he led the pack with a time of 1m 29.246s from Kevin Magnussen, Arthur Pic, Will Stevens, Jules Bianchi and Sam Bird.
Magnussen was the first to improve on his second set of rubber in 1m 29.137s and it was the signal for his rivals to up the pace. As usual the final laps proved decisive. The Dane improved to 1m 26s, which he lowered to 1m 28.548s next time round. But Frijns put in a last-minute charge to pip Magnussen with a time of 1m 28.520s becoming the third driver to set three poles this season with Magnussen and Jules Bianchi second and third respectively this morning.
Robin Frijns: “We were afraid that it would rain at the end of the session. I managed to heat up my tyres properly and put in a very good lap just before the chequered flag. The start will be the key to this race and I know that Kevin, and above all Jules, will try something.”
Kevin Magnussen: “The main thing is to be on the front row, but I’m slightly disappointed as we had what it took to clinch pole. Now I have to make a good start to go into the first corner in the lead as passing here is very difficult.”
Jules Bianchi: “I had a puncture on my first lap and I had to come in and put on another tyre so I set my time with only three new tyres. I managed to limit the damage. It could have been a lot worse!”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.