Now sitting in 2nd in the championship, Evans needed a good qualifying position this weekend to retain his chances of fighting for the championship title.
At Monza the aim of the game is to be towed down the straights for maximum drag reduction and eventually coming onto the final straight at maximum speed where the drivers cross the finish line.
Evans teammate Dorian Boccolacci seemed to have the team order to pull Evans throughout the lap seen as Evans is currently in with a chance of a championship title.
Coming down the back straight the cars were approximately a tenth of a second apart with 5 minutes to go in the session, Boccolacci still went quicker than Evans with the tow.
Boccolacci managed a 1.49.093 with Evans completing his lap in 1.49.165.
A surprising result that stayed solid (3rd & 4th) for the two Martinet by Almeras drivers. But, disappointing for Evans not to have clinched a slightly higher position.
The fastest qualifier of the day was Turkish driver Ayhancan Guven who climbed to the top of the timesheets with an outstanding lap and without the help of a teammate’s tow.
Guven went 1.49.025. The top 3 drivers in qualifying were split by just 7 hundredths of a second.
Now the benefit for Evans in his 4th place grid spot is that he will have the chance to be towed down the straight and will have a draft going into the turn 1 chicane.
Additionally, he will start right alongside his teammate Dorian. Hopefully the team helps Evans out in that sense and pushes him into a position to fight for the win.
Boccolacci qualified highest of the rookies on the grid and is currently second in the rookie championship behind Heinrich who qualified 5th just behind Evans.
The French team should make sure that their two drivers make the most of their opportunities at the front.
Evans said in an interview: “A lot can happen in motorsport. In any case, I won’t give up. The best chance I have to catch Larry is to win both races.”
Hopefully the Kiwi keeps in clean during the race, stays out of trouble, and can pick up as many points as possible to take it to current points leader Larry ten Voorde!
Featured image source: instagram.com/martinet_by_almeras