Formula Renault 3.5
Stoffel Vandoorne (Fortec Motorsports) will start from the front of the grid on Saturday for the first Formula Renault 3.5 Series race of the weekend. The Belgian claimed his second pole of the season, and will line up ahead of one of championship rivals, Antonio Félix da Costa (Arden Caterham) this afternoon.
Qualifying began in bright sunshine, with the 26 drivers quickly getting the measure of the Moscow Raceway circuit. Lap times improved constantly in the first part of the session, despite the traffic on the track. Halfway through, Nigel Melker (Tech 1 Racing) moved top of the timesheets but was soon replaced by Stoffel Vandoorne, before the field went in for fresh tyres.
The session picked up in the closing minutes, and eventually it was Stoffel Vandoorne who secured pole with an improved lap of 1:20.283 at the very end. The Belgian will line up alongside Antonio Félix da Costa on the front row.
"Testing did not go as we had hoped. I knew things could only get better today, as I didn't feel at all confident yesterday," said Stoffel Vandoorne. "We were quick on the first set of tyres, and on the second set too. Beyond that, the key was to avoid the traffic."
The first race of the weekend starts at 14.00 local time.
Official Renault Sport Press Release.