First A1 GP pole for Premat

Though France is running away with the championship, it is the first time Alexandre Premat has set a pole lap in the series.

After a steady build-up through the weekend, the French squad rediscovered their crushing form in time for Premat to clock an aggregate time over a second faster than his cross-channel rival Robbie Kerr.

Premat, a former Macau Grand Prix winner, was never in any danger of being challenged on this new street circuit.

Switzerland's Neel Jani put his team into third, losing out with "stupid mistakes" in the second of the four qualifying segments.

The Netherlands and Jos Verstappen will line up alongside Jani, keeping up their convincing form this weekend.

Ralph Firman was fuming after he came across the Team India entry while on a good lap in the final segment. The Team Ireland driver was confident that he was on course for a front row spot.

Firman was not the only driver to have a trying final session, which to the surprise of many, was the only one to be interrupted by stoppages.

France and Britain both aborted their laps but kept their overall positions intact - though Kerr was mere thousands away from being demoted by Jani.

It was difficult to find a good moment for a clear lap in the last fifteen minutes, but Nelson Piquet Jr was at least able to show some improvement by setting his best lap of the day and claiming eighth behind New Zealand.

Czech representative Tomas Enge set the pace in the first segment, but paid the price for a light brush on the wall. Suspension repairs kept him out of the second segment and he ultimately did a good job to put his car in sixth overall.

Local hero Stephen Simpson struggled for pace in this session, and will have to make do with 16th place for the sprint race tomorrow afternoon.