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Istanbul Qualifying

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Alfa Romeo stormed the qualifying session to claim both the front rows on tomorrow’s grid. Gabriele Tarquini will be on pole position with Thompson to join him at the front, then Augusto Farfus and Fabrizio Giovanardi will line up right behind.

Immediately Thompson went to the top of the time sheet with a 2:05.128 lap – faster than any of the times posted in the practice sessions.

After ten minutes however, it was Farfus’ turn to occupy the top spot before, nine minutes later, Tarquini set a fantastic 2:04.525. It is incredibly close at the top as all the Alfas are within just half a second of each other. Behind the red pack there are two SEAT cars. Stéphane Ortelli achieved a time of 2:05.118 to take fifth place, while Peter Terting came through towards the end of the session to post the sixth best time.

The fastest of the BMW drivers was Andy Priaulx who clocked the 7th quickest time on his penultimate lap. Behind the Briton sits another SEAT duo in the form of Jordi Gené and Rickard Rydell with 8th and 9th grid spots. Championship leader Dirk Müller posted the 10th fastest lap, while his team-mate Jörg, 14th fastest, had his times disallowed for not stopping at the weighing scales.

The bid to be the best independent was fought between Carl Rosenblad and Adriano De Micheli. During the session both drivers made it into the top ten but it was De Micheli of JAS Motorsport who was eventually quicker. With just 2 minutes remaining he completed a lap in a brilliant 2:05.644 making him 11th overall on the starting grid.

12th position went to Nicola Larini in his Chevrolet Lacetti and team-mate Alain Menu appeared to have made some progress as he was 15th overall. Rob Huff, the final Chevrolet driver did not take part in the session as mechanics were working to fix the flywheel of his car. Thomas Klenke failed to emulate the results he had in practice sessions and will start from 20th with Ford Hotfiel Sport team-mate in the position ahead. Tom Coronel will occupy the 24th spot, having been demoted due to an engine change, with only Jörg Müller behind him.