Tom Blomqvist took the home advantage at Silverstone today, as the Jagonya Ayam with Carlin driver claimed the first pole position of the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The British racer maintained his good form to qualify third for race three. 

An action packed day saw the F3 drivers complete two practice sessions and two qualifying sessions at a windy Silverstone today. Despite intermittent sun, the temperatures were cold as the drivers undertook practice early this morning.

After a couple of important hours to digest data, the drivers were back on track for the first qualifying session of the season, which set the grid for race one. In a competitive session it was Jagonya Ayam’s Blomqvist who got the most from his Volkswagen powered Carlin Dallara taking the first pole of the season. Team mates Antonio Giovinazzi and Sean Gelael struggled slightly with tyre wear and consequently qualified 12th and 20th respectively.

As the World Endurance Championship cars took to the track once again, the F3 drivers had another chance to work with their engineers and perfect set-up. Returning to the track late on Friday afternoon, finding the optimum tyre performance was once again key in the second qualifying session of the day. 

Although not quite able to challenge for his second pole position of the day, Blomqvist put in several consistent laps, improving towards the end of the session to go third quickest overall, the position he will take on the grid for race three. Team mate Giovinazzi also made a jump forward from the earlier session and was fifth fastest. Gelael was disappointed to be 23rd, after the Indonesian racer, at the tender age of just 17, caught traffic when his tyres were at the optimum performance. 

Reflecting on his pole position, Blomqvist said, “We knew from practice that we weren’t going to get many opportunities to set a quick time due to the nature of the track and the tyre so I knew that I had to nail some laps early on. The tyres were dropping off quite quickly, and I quite like that because you have to get on it straight away. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my team and my engineer because the car was really good. Third is a good place to start race three as well, so I’m pretty happy overall. It’s a nice confidence boost to start off the season.” 

The first race of the season will take place at 10.20 local time tomorrow.

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