Marcus Ericsson emerged as the 'best of the rest' behind Carlin drivers in both qualifying sessions ahead of the latest rounds of the British F3 International Series at
Thruxton to secure a place on the second row of the grid for the two races in Hampshire.
The reigning Formula
BMW UK Championship title winner was on the pace in both qualifying sessions at the quickest UK circuit on the F3 calendar and was little more than a second away from pole in qualifying for the first race – although the close nature of the times meant that was only good enough for fourth on the grid.
Although he improved on his time in the second session by two-tenths of a second, the young Swede found himself again on the second row of the grid – this time in third place – and just 0.046secs behind pole man Brendon Hartley, leaving him well positioned for a strong race day.
"I knew we would be quick in the dry because we always have been," he said. "It is only in the wet when we have struggled, but the weather was nice and conditions were good so we could show our pace.
"It was quite challenging driving the F3 car round Thruxton in the dry for the first time as the braking points and things like that were totally different to during testing when it was wet, but I went out there and did the best I can and we are in a good position on the second row.
"The Carlin guys can work together in the races, but we have a good race car and I am confident that I can step onto the podium – maybe in first place. We really need to have a good race day."
