Valsecchi thrilled with maiden pole

The 22-year-old Italian continued his strong form from last weekend's two-day test at the Yas Marina circuit and believes the confidence he gained from it was the key to his pace so far.

The iSport driver was fastest in Friday's practice session before going on to take his maiden pole, two tenths of a second clear of Briton Sam Bird.

"It's been an unbelievable day," said Valsecchi. "Last week during the tests I found immediately the pace, which helped us to be strong right at the beginning.

"We were competitive from the very start of the session and that gives us an advantage. That way you don't have to spend the whole session thinking that time is running out. Today I wasn't stressed and I was confident - it really helps."

Valsecchi won a race each in last year's Main and Asia campaigns, although both were in reverse-grid second races. He is hoping to convert his first pole into his first race one success.

"The work we did during these two days helps us to be prepared for the race tomorrow, whatever the track conditions," he added. "This pole position is a good step in the right direction.

"The start has not been my speciality lately. It was before, in the last GP2 Asia Series I had some of the best starts of my career - I was always gaining positions. But in the Main Series I had many problems at the beginning of the season and lost my confidence. I will try my best tomorrow to lead the race after the first corner."