QUINN EXCELS IN MSA FORMULA QUALIFYING
Alex Quinn produced an excellent maiden qualifying performance to start his first single-seater race in fifth place at Brands Hatch.
The Racing Steps Foundation-backed driver, competing with the Fortec Motorsports squad, was by far the quickest rookie driver, ahead of his team-mate Ross Martin, who will start 11th.
After a slow early start, Quinn began posting regular quick times to gradually move him up the order on the Kent circuit’s Indy layout, the shortest of the season.
As the order rapidly changed throughout the session, Quinn set the fourth quickest time with only three minutes remaining.
With tyres wearing throughout the last couple of minutes, it resulted in fewer drivers able to improve their best time.
On the final flying lap, Quinn posted the quickest overall first sector, but was unable to improve his position.
He was then forced to settle for fifth place as Carlin’s Max Fewtrell jumped up into third place when the chequered flag fell.
Based on second best qualifying times, Quinn will start the third and final race of the weekend, from sixth position.
"We began the session by bedding in some new tyres ahead of the races this weekend," Quinn said.
"But we then began to pick up the pace and I was always improving which is a really good sign.
"I feel that the car and myself are capable of a bit more, possibly the top three or higher. I was disappointed with the final lap.
After setting the best overall first sector time, I was then blocked, probably not intentionally, and it affected the lap time. But I could well have taken pole position with that lap. But it points to positive signs for the race and future qualifying sessions."
Brands Hatch: (1.943km / 1.2079 miles): Qualifying results (top 12)
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Driver (Nat)
Petru Florescu (ROM)
James Pull (GBR)
Max Fewtrell (GBR)
Luis Leeds (AUS)
Alex Quinn (GBR) / R
Rafael Martins (BRA)
Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN)
Jamie Caroline (GBR)
Sennan Fielding (GBR)
Zane Goddard (AUS)
Ross Martin (GBR) / R
Jack Butel (GBR)
Team / Car
Carlin
Carlin
Carlin
TRS Arden
Fortec
TRS Arden
Carlin
Jamun
JHR
Double R
Fortec
JHR
Time / Gap
45.834s
+0.016s
+0.051s
+0.162s
+0.166s
+0.229s
+0.249s
+0.264s
+0.307s
+0.367s
+0.370s
+0.463s
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Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography.
Copyright-free Racing Steps Foundation images are available for editorial use from the RSF Image Bank at http://www.jakobebrey.com/rsf
Report: Racing Steps Foundation - Russell Hayes, Racing Steps Foundation PR & Communications Manager
