Red Bull Ring GP3: Luca Ghiotto takes second straight pole position

The Trident driver had a slow start to qualifying while others, including Mitch Gilbert, Alex Palou, Marvin Kirchhofer and Esteban Ocon traded fastest times.

But he started to make inroads into the top 10 with 19 minutes remaining, first jumping to fourth and then displacing Palou from first place just over a minute later.

That gave him provisional pole at the halfway mark, and it was a similar story on the second runs as various drivers took turns up front before Ghiotto asserted himself.

In the closing stages of the session, championship leader Ocon had top spot with a lap of 1.19.55s, only for Ghiotto to go 0.205s faster.

This was thanks to the fastest time of the session in the first and second sectors, with a tow over the line from Seb Morris helping him to top spot.

Ocon held on to second place ahead of Palou, who looked to be on a lap that might have put him fastest late on before spinning at the final corner and kissing the barrier.

Kirchhofer took fourth place ahead of Emil Bernstoff - the top five covered by just 0.473s.

Koiranen GP Matt Parry will start in sixth place ahead of Status Grand Prix's Sandy Stuvik, who popped into the upper echelons of the timesheets relatively late in the session.

Jimmy Eriksson and Gilbert, who had promising starts to the session, rounded out the top 10.

Several drivers who were expected to challenge for the top 10 ended up having disappointing sessions.

Free-practice pacesetter Jann Mardenborough qualified 12th, although in the season-opener at Barcelona two weeks ago he drove two strong races to come through the field so he won't be too discouraged.

Alex Fontana ended up in 15th, the slowest of those within a second of pole position.

Oscar Tunjo had a difficult session, ending up 17th after a late start having spent time sat in the pitlane with the rear bodywork off the car.

He then parked in the gravel late on while trying to climb the order.

QUALIFYING RESULTS