The drivers did two preparation laps before qualifying properly got underway. A 1:20.804 from Mexican Noel Leon saw the Mexican lead the way on the first runs of qualifying. Mini was P1 following the opening lap, but the soft tyre held on for multiple laps.
Mini (+0.065), Meguetounif, Tsolov, Dunne, Lindblad, Van Hoepen, Goethe, Browning, Fornaroli, Mansell and Beganovic completed the crucial top 12 with the reverse grid race on Saturday.
The big surprise at the end of the first runs was Tim Tramnitz as the German was all the way down in P22, 0.881s off the benchmark. Sprint race winner in Barcelona Mari Boya found himself in P16.
Piotr Wisnicki was struggling to keep his car on track, running wide at turn 1 and then had a massive lock-up at turn 3.
Tiny spots of rain on the camera lense at turn 3 with 6 minutes left meant the drivers faced a small bit into the unknown as they started to push on their last set of tyres.
He did not want to give a tow, but Luke Browning eventually went and put in a stonking 1:20.222 to go almost 0.6s clear. Tramnitz vaulted up to P2, with Mini going 3rd.
The Brit’s 1:20.222 was good enough for pole, as fellow title contender Arvid Lindblad put in a late lap to go 2nd. Tim Tramnitz completed the top 3 with a superb lap.
Mini and Beganovic completed the top 5, meaning all three PREMA cars are in the mix for feature race victory. Goethe, Van Hoepen, Montoya, Dunne, Tsolov, Mansell, Stenshorne completed the top 12.
Charlie Wurz took a trip across the grass at turn 10 as he touched the gravel strip. Joseph Loake had a moment through the gravel at turn 7.
Fornaroli had his best lap time deleted, seeing him start P27 for both races this weekend.
Browning may lose pole as he looked to have blocked Dino Beganovic at turn 9 as he entered the pits.
