Scheckter fastest at Thruxton

The South African went quickest on his penultimate lap of the second 30-minute session, just 0.081s quicker than Antonio Pizzonia. Scheckter said: "I am really pleased with today. The team has done a good job and I am very pleased for them. I just managed to find a clear lap right at the end of the session."

Pizzonia was quick to play down his championship favourite tag, reminding people that this was to be his first F3 race. He made a wrong choice on set-up in the morning session, when he opted for a dry set-up. He fought back in the session, narrowly missing out on a debut F3 pole.

Andy Priaulx was the star of the second session leaping up from 14th to third, whilst Michael Bentwood will line up a best-ever fourth on the grid. Matt Davies will start fifth and Narain Karthikeyan, whilst BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Gary Paffett tops the Scholarship Class.

Paffett humbled many of the Championship Class cars finishing ninth, ahead of Craig Fleming and Ryan Walker.

Drivers who suffered problems included Ben Collins who spun off at Goodwood in the second session, meaning that he will start only 16th on the grid for tomorrow's race.