Conway still confident of winning

The Briton has been one of the quickest drivers all weekend and, after topping the final free practice session, had emerged as many people's favourite to snatch pole position.

But it all went wrong early in qualifying when he lost control through the tricky final corner on his best lap and swiped the tyre barrier with his left rear wheel - ripping it off in the process and forcing him out.

Despite that incident, which leaves him 11th on the grid, Conway remains upbeat about what he can achieve and still believes he can triumph on Sunday.

"There's still everything to play for," he said. "From where I am starting I could get into the top five tomorrow (for the qualifying race). It's a 25-lap race and anything could happen. Then the win is still possible on Sunday."

Conway believes he could easily have qualified in the top five had he not got it wrong at the final corner.

"The lap I was on would have put me into the top five," he explained. "It is a shame. I went in too quick and picked up understeer and ran out of road. The rear slid. I didn't damage the front but damaged the gearbox at the back."

Tomorrow's race decides the grid for the big event on Sunday.