Armstrong endures frustrating qualifying session at scorching Silverstone

A frustrating qualifying performance by Marcus Armstrong has seen the Kiwi slump to 15th for the opening FIA Formula 2 feature race around the Silverstone International Circuit as a part of the support card for this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

The Ferrari Academy racer found a profusion of slower cars on his flying laps to finish nine-tenths off Felipe Drugovich who stormed to his and MP Motorsport’s inaugural series pole position.

However, Armstrong’s ART teammate Christian Lundgaard will start fourth having only been demoted from a provisional front row start in the final stages of the session to highlight the team’s true potential.

Drugovich flew to pole position after he set a scintillating 1.31.527 to sit unchallenged for the entire session.

Virtuosi Racing’s Callum Ilott proved to be his closest challenger and will start on the second row of the grid ahead of Prema’s Mick Schumacher who had had his first run blocked by Roy Nissany.

The German looked like he might topple Drugovich for pole but sizzling track temperatures compounded tyre woes for several drivers.

Drugovich’s time was six-tenths quicker than the benchmark lap set by Carlin’s Jehan Daruvala who ultimately ended up seventh fastest at the chequered flag. Drugovich’s middle sector proved to be the definitive feature of his pole position time when he found an incredible five-tenths over the entire field.

Championship leader Robert Shwartzman endured a troubled session as like Armstrong he was also embroiled in traffic and found himself under investigation by the stewards for blocking Sean Galeal.

Though any penalty would not make too much difference for the reigning F3 championship and will start 18th.  

Having topped the day’s earlier practice session in convincing fashion, Yuki Tsunoda could only lodge the ninth quickest time in an arguably disappointing session for the Toyota Racing Series graduate.