Chevrolet takes top three in qualifying

Chevrolet couldn’t have had a better result in qualifying after achieving a 1-2-3.

Alain Menu, Robert Huff and Nicola Larini all posted their best times (2:06.927, 2:07.687 and 2:07.731) within seconds, towards the end of a disrupted session.

The three Chevrolets were followed by a trio of SEATs and three BMWs. Tom Coronel will line up fourth for GR Asia ahead of Gabriele Tarquini – who was the provisional pole sitter for most of the session – and Yvan Muller.

Reigning champion Andy Priaulx qualified the best BMW as seventh with a time of 2:08.574. Alongside him on the grid will be Alex Zanardi who is followed by Jörg Müller.

The German driver saw a premature end to his outing when he crashed into the barriers at Turn 1 where his car remained for the last few minutes of the session.

Two separate incidents in the 45 minute session meant two red flags. The first came with 20 minutes remaining: James Thompson hit the exit of the paddock chicane which tore most of the front right of his car off.

Remarkably, despite crossing the line on just three wheels, the Briton set his best lap of 2:08.939 which placed him tenth on the grid.

The second accident also happened at the chicane when Tiago Monteiro touched the inside of the entrance and then hit the armco on the inside which set the car spinning.

When his SEAT León had been removed Chevrolet began their attack. Menu posted a 2:07.349, Larini then slotted in second only to be demoted to third by Huff.

While Huff attempted to go better on the next lap he made a mistake at turn one and crashed. Menu was successful in his attempt to improve and broke the 2 minute 7 second barrier.

The session ended with a dramatic clash between Roberto Colciago’s SEAT and Félix Porteiro’s from BMW.

On the exit of turn 16 Colciago was on his last flying lap and hit the back of the BMW that was slowing down. The result was that both cars spun and crashed into separate walls.

The SEAT was in flames moments later but Colciago came out of the car unscathed. A previous lap by the Italian was good enough to make him fastest of the Independents and 11th overall.