Red Bull Ring European F3: Rosenqvist takes pole for race one

The practice pacesetter was never far from the top of the times during the 20-minute session, and sat second to team-mate Jake Dennis entering the closing minutes.

Dennis, already up by 0.037 seconds, then improved further to 1m24.517s, only for Rosenqvist to log a 1m24.510s with just over one minute remaining.

On the next lap, Dennis went faster again through the first sector but he couldn't maintain the pace over the remainder of the lap, and Rosenqvist claimed his 18th F3 pole by 0.007s.

The Swede won all three races at the circuit in 2013.

Ferrari junior Lance Stroll was a late improver to third, adding to Prema's good start to the weekend, while championship leader Antonio Giovinazzi will start Saturday morning's opening race from fourth on the grid.

Like Dennis, Giovinazzi started his final lap well, with the fastest first sector and a personal best in the second, but he lost ground in the final corners, didn't improve to finish 0.241s off Rosenqvist.

Charles Leclerc found steady gains during the final five minutes and ended the session fifth, ahead of Sergio Sette Camara, George Russell, Alexander Albon, Markus Pommer and Gustavo Menezes.

QUALIFYING TIMES: