James Jakes timed his final lap to perfection to claim his first ever pole position for ART Grand Prix ahead of the third Formula 3 Euroseries round at Pau.
With the circuit's tight confines meaning the 30-strong grid was split into two qualifying groups, Jakes made the most of the drier conditions in his session to snatch the initiative away from Edoardo Mortara, who had been looking to give Volkswagen their first pole position since their return to F3 competition.
Nonetheless, Jakes' final lap was good enough to go fastest overall and give him his second ever pole position in the Euroseries, the first occurring at
Brands Hatch last year for Manor Motorsport.
Despite missing out on the top spot, second for joint championship leader Mortara still marked Signature and Volkswagen's best starting position of the season, the Italian having edged out title favourite Nico Hulkenberg to snare a spot on the front row.
Hulkenberg will be joined on the second row by Hockenheim and Mugello winner Mika Maki, while Franck Mailleux and practice pace setter Christian Vietoris made up positions five and six.
Yann Clairay, Richard Philippe and Jean-Karl Vernay will give French fans something to cheer on after qualifying in seventh, eighth and ninth, while Maxi Gotz made it four Volkswagen-powered machines in the top ten with tenth.
Elsewhere, title contender Renger van der Zande was well off the pace down in 24th position, just behind 20th place Robert Wickens, the Canadian World Series racer making his F3 debut this weekend in place of Stefano Coletti.
Meanwhile, Brits Jon Lancaster, Niall Breen, Sam Bird and Martin Plowman have plenty of work to do around the tight French street circuit in 12th, 17th, 18th and 25th respectively.
![James Jakes - ART Grand Prix Mercedes [pic credit: F3 Euroseries Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/446865.jpg)
