Norisring qualifying: Kaffer doubles up

By taking both poles, the German has taken the lead of the championship from erstwhile series leader Toshihiro Kaneishi. Kaffer set a lightning 49.653s lap in his Team Kolles Dallara-Mugen around the streets of Nuremburg to give him pole for this afternoon's race. As in yesterday's session, which decided the grid for Sunday's race, he was two-tenths quicker than the opposition.

Today, British F3 refugee Nicolas Kiesa leapt on to the front row in his GM Motorsport Dallara-Toyota, ahead of team mate Tony Schmidt. Frank Diefenbacher (BSR Dallara-Opel) and Stefan Mucke (Mucke Motorsport Dallara-Opel) will also line up ahead of Kaneishi.

Gary Paffett bettered his lap time from yesterday, but slipped from fourth to ninth place in his Opel-powered Team Rosberg Dallara.

Today's race starts at 16.30 local time (15.30 BST).

Pierre Kaffer, Team Kolles Dallara F300-Mugen, 49.653s
Nicolas Kiesa, GM Motorsport Dallara F301-Toyota, 49.866s
Tony Schmidt, GM Motorsport Dallara F301-Toyota, 49.938s
Frank Diefenbacher, BSR Dallara F300-Opel, 49.972s
Stefan Mucke, Mucke Motorsport Dallara F301-Opel, 50.012s
Toshihiro Kaneishi, BSR Dallara F300-Opel, 50.076s