Porteiro Takes Valencia Pole
Felix Porteiro secured pole position for the first World Series by Renault race at Valencia
Local driver Porteiro lapped the Spanish track in 1:20.989s to become the fourth different pole sitter in the four races so far this season.
Porteiro's Epsilon teammate and Championship leader Robert Kubica will start alongside him on the front row, after securing the fastest time in his session. It is the first time this season that one team has annexed the front row.
Frenchman Eric Salignon will line up third after securing the second fastest time in Porteiro's 'faster' session, just 0.226s off the Spaniard. American Colin Fleming will start fourth, after finishing 0.018s behind Kubica in the 'slower' session.
The World Series by Renault cars are split into two 15 minutes qualifying sessions to limit the problem of traffic ruining hot laps.
Because Porteiro posted a faster time than Kubica, the drivers in the Spaniard's session will start on the odd-numbered grid slots. The drivers in Kubica's slower session will start behind him on the even numbered grid slots.
Odd Number Qualifiers: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Felix Porteiro Epsilon 1:20.989 3. Eric Salignon Cram 1:21.215 + 0.226 5. Andreas Zuber Carlin 1:21.249 + 0.260 7. Adrian Valles Pons 1:21.298 + 0.309 9. Tristan Gommendy KTR 1:21.584 + 0.595 11. Patrick Pilet Jenzer 1:21.619 + 0.630 13. Daniel La Rosa Interwetten 1:21.665 + 0.676 15. Enrico Toccacelo Victory 1:21.892 + 0.903 17. Ryo Fukuda Saulnier 1:21.905 + 0.916 19. Christian Montanari Draco 1:22.113 + 1.124 21. Giorgio Mondini Eurointernational 1:22.392 + 1.403 23. Karun Chandhok RC 1:22.554 + 1.565 25. Frederik Vervisch GD 1:23.016 + 2.027 27. Raffaele Giammaria Dams 1:23.901 + 2.912 Even Number Qualifiers: Pos Driver Team Time 2. Robert Kubica Epsilon 1:21.036 4. Colin Fleming Jenzer 1:21.054 + 0.018 6. Will Power Carlin 1:21.104 + 0.068 8. Markus Winkelhock Draco 1:21.221 + 0.185 10. Simon Pagenaud Saulnier 1:21.352 + 0.316 12. Alx Danielsson Dams 1:21.375 + 0.339 14. Jaap Van Lagen KTR 1:21.465 + 0.429 16. Damien Pasini Cram 1:21.491 + 0.455 18. Milos Pavlovic GD 1:21.612 + 0.576 20. Tomas Kostka Victory 1:21.705 + 0.669 22. Celso Miguez Pons 1:21.794 + 0.758 24. Giovanni Tedeschi RC 1:22.446 + 1.410 26. Ivan Bellarosa Avelon 1:23.252 + 2.216 28. Mehdi Bennani Avelon 1:24.275 + 3.239
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
When Renault ended its support of its 3.5 Formula, there were fears about the category's future. But as PETER MILLS explains, the rebadged FV8 3.5 series has retained an appeal to drivers
An era ended in 2015 as Renault withdrew its backing of Formula Renault 3.5. GLENN FREEMAN and PETER MILLS pick the 10 best drivers from the World Series by Renault years
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015
The 2015 Formula Renault 3.5 season will be notable for being the last with the French company's backing but also produced a worthy champion in Oliver Rowland. PETER MILLS evaluates this year's crop of drivers
Since 2005 the World Series by Renault package has launched a host of young stars on the path to Formula 1. But there's much more to the events, both on and off the track
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2014
The field was perhaps not as strong as in the previous season, but Carlos Sainz Jr emerged as a worthy Formula Renault 3.5 champion. GLENN FREEMAN rates the top 2014 drivers
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2013
There were some standout performances in the Formula Renault 3.5 title race this year, but one racer stood above all the others. GLENN FREEMAN looks back and picks out his top 10 drivers
The 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 grid guide
Last year's field was extraordinary and hard to match, but the Formula Renault 3.5 grid will still have plenty of talent this season. Glenn Freeman runs through the field ahead of this weekend's season opener
Vandoorne: future McLaren F1 star?
Landing the Fortec seat that took rising star Robin Frijns to the 2012 FR3.5 title was already a good sign for Stoffel Vandoorne. Then McLaren took him under its wing. Peter Mills tells Vandoorne's story so far