Neuhauser and G?tz impress in qualifying.

There was a surprise in qualifying for the 19th race of the Formula 3 Euro Series season on the 4.574-kilometre-long Grand Prix course at Hockenheim.

HBR Motorsport's Hannes Neuhauser and Kolles' Maximilian G?tz Kolles drove into second and third place behind Opel Team Signature-Plus driver Nicolas Lapierre.

Newly crowned champion Jamie Green will be starting the midday race from a lowly 17th position.

Qualifying for the race started out on a wet course, which became drier and drier during the 30 minutes. Action heated up in the last minutes of the session as the drivers jostled for position. Nicolas Lapierre clinched the fastest lap in the very final seconds of qualifying.

"It was an incredibly difficult qualifying as the course was very slippery and there was a lot of traffic on the track," said Nicolas Lapierre. "In the last 10 minutes I worked towards and hoped that my last lap would be a free one. I felt immense pressure because I knew that it had to be just right. Luckily it was enough for the pole."

Hannes Neuhauser and Maximilian G?tz also caused a stir in the final phase by swooping into the top three. It represents the two drivers' best start position of their career to date in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Like the pace setter, both were also driving with rain tyres.

"I'm over the moon with my second start place," said Neuhauser. "I always knew I could do it. And at last one can see where I stand when it just comes down to driving ability, like in these conditions here."

G?tz was surprised with his high-standing. "I was considering whether to put on slicks for my last lap in qualifying, but the track was still too wet," he explains. "That's why I continued to drive with rain tyres, which had the ideal temperature by that time. Of course I'm surprised to be standing so far in front. It's great that I've still got a chance to get my first points in the last race weekend."

The two rivals for the rookie title, Prema Powerteam's Franck Perera and Opel Team Signature driver Giedo van der Garde, will be starting right after one another this afternoon in position 20 and 21, which should ensure the utmost tension in the battle for the newcomer's title.