Challenging session hands PREMA drivers top-10
PREMA Racing placed three drivers in the top 10 in the opening round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship season at Bahrain International Circuit. While the session proved challenging and incredibly competitive, with 14 drivers covered by less than four tenths of a second.
The team's two rookies Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron finished in P8 and P9 respectively. The two rookies entered their first qualifying session in the series and progressed throughout the two runs on new tyres.
Despite being highly competitive and fighting for pole, a mistake cost Zak O'Sullivan dearly, as he had to settle for P10 after setting the fastest middle sector overall. Unfortunately, he later lost the lap to track limits, and was demoted to P18.
The reverse grid for race 1 will bring opportunities for the PREMA drivers, with both Beganovic and Aron starting near the front.
#1 - Paul Aron
"The first qualifying session was definitely a new experience and a new world to explore. It was interesting to do many qualifying runs, and it was pretty crazy going out, trying to warm the tyres with the traffic, and preparing the lap. A lot of new things, but generally we can be quite happy even if it was not the optimal qualifying. We managed to secure a decent position, and we know we have good potential. We can pick up some good points from here in the races."
#2 - Dino Beganovic
"It was my first qualy in Formula 3, and it has been an experience. It was a messy session, but I think it's quite normal. We made a good step from free practice, P8 on the grid for Sunday, I'd say we can definitely work from there. I think there was a little more in it, but we will try to show it in the races.
#3 - Zak O'Sullivan
"Not the best result, I got my last lap disallowed for track limits. The pace was there so it's a bit unfortunate. We'll see if we can recover in the races, that's the main focus now."