Sean McIntosh denied Alx Danielsson a crucial point for the fastest time in qualifying for the 18th and final round of the World Series by Renault at Barcelona, the Canadian celebrating his first ever pole position.
Taking little notice of the fierce championship battle that will be resolved this afternoon, McIntosh looks set to bring his maiden season in the World Series to a successful close after snatching pole position away in the final seconds, preventing Danielsson from making it two pole positions from two this weekend.
Still, he remains the best placed of the three realistic title contenders in third place on the grid, just behind Group A pace setter, Pastor Maldonado, the Venezuelan desperate to remain in contention pending the appeal for his lost win at Misano earlier in the season that could still see him claim the title, albeit in the courtrooms. Borja Garcia will start sixth, while championship leader Andy Soucek now has it all to do from ninth.
With the circuit seemingly slower than it had been the day before, those in Group B who had the 'honour' of completing their times first, in the knowledge that the fastest time of the session was always likely to come from Group A who go out second.
Nonetheless, it was a fierce battle for the top spot, with the lead changing hands several times from Tristan Gommendy, to James Rossiter, only for Franck Perera to go top with the first time to dip below the 1min 28secs mark.
It was here that Alvaro Parente made his move with seven minutes on the clock remaining, moving to the top of the timesheets just a red flag was produced to move Franck Perera's car after the Frenchman spun.
With just a few minutes remaining there was further carnage when both Alvaro Barba and Nil Montserrat crashed out, bringing the session to a close prematurely, albeit not before Maldonado had been able to sneak in a time good enough to dislodge the Portuguese driver who had since been sidelined in the pits with an electrical problem.
Third fastest was Garcia, with Perera fourth, albeit facing a demotion on the grid for inducing the red flags, while Rossiter rounded out the top ten as he chases a double points finish this weekend.
From the start of the second session, most eyes were on Danielsson, the Swede having become something of a prolific qualifier since he hit form at Donington. Indeed, the Comtec Racing driver wasted no time in underlining his prominence, storming to the top of the timesheets with his first flying lap.
