Alvaro Parente returned to the front of the GP2 Series field with a strong qualifying performance in tricky conditions at Spa-Francorchamps, giving him a strong chance of a second victory in his rookie season.

Keen to move on from the challenges of Valencia, and finish the season on a high note, both Super Nova drivers qualified well, with Andy Soucek claiming seventh on the grid once the dust had settled after various penalties were applied elsewhere.

A rain shower just before the session prompted a few last-minute alterations to set-up, which helped Parente gain his front row position for Saturday's feature race, where he will line up alongside title contender Bruno Senna, who hounded him to the line at the opening round in Spain nearly five months ago.

“It was good today," the reigning World Series by Renault champion commented, "The rain started just before we went out, so the last-minute changes made things interesting, but they worked well. The car felt good, and I was able to attack well and get a good lap in the between all the yellow flags. We were quick all the way through, so everyone did a great job today.”

The yellow flags interrupted the flow of the half-hour session and, having been fourth quickest for some time, Soucek was then unable to better his lap time as the track reached its peak. However, a number of penalties rearranged the line-up, and the Spaniard eventually found himself promoted to seventh on the grid for the 26-lap race.

“I backed off on the yellow flags and couldn't improve my time," Soucek confirmed, "A couple of the drivers, Chandhok and Buemi, have been penalised, but I still believe we should have been fourth - if not front row. The car felt good, right up there, so let's see what happens.”