Edoardo Mortara sets fastest time in qualifying

  Air temperature: 27.4 °C
Track temperature: 31.3 °C

At the 4.005 kilometres long track near Valencia, Edoardo Mortara (Signature, 1:28.583 minutes) was fastest in a qualifying session of the Formula 3 Euro Series for the first time in his career. As a result, the 23-year old will be starting from pole position into tomorrow's fifth season round of the world's toughest junior race series. The Geneva-based Italian will be followed on the grid by the best-placed rookie, Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam, 1:28.787 minutes) and Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:28.827 minutes).

Edoardo Mortara (I, Signature, Dallara F308 Volkswagen) Credit: Euro F3 Series

Just before the halfway point of the session, Mortara took the lead and just before the end, he was only outpaced briefly. However, he countered the attack by Spaniard Juncadella and eventually secured pole position. Marco Wittmann (Signature, 1:29.117 minutes), who had been fastest qualifier at Hockenheim, ended up fifth behind Alexander Sims (ART Grand Prix, 1:29.032 minutes). Danish Euro Series' rookie Kevin Magnussen (Motopark Academy, 1:29.508 minutes) was classified tenth.

Edoardo Mortara (Signature): "It was perfect, I am really happy. I had never expected to be on pole position at this track because in fact, I don't like this circuit. I am also happy that I have shown that with Volkswagen, we not only have a good engine, but a good car, too."

Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): "I am slightly surprised by being second here. After the rather poor test session this morning, when we were still having problems with the car, I didn't have a good feeling. Moreover, I was a little bit worried for qualifying based on the test. As a result, I didn't get all my fastest sector times within one lap. But no problem, I am very happy with second place."

Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix): "I am disappointed. In the morning, I still expected to be able to battle for pole. But I think that I didn't get the second set of tyres to work properly. Otherwise, I would have been faster with that one than with the first set."

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