Jamie Chadwick has retaken the lead of the timeboard in Zolder's qualifying session, but the battle with Visser is on.
Jamie Chadwick has taken her second pole position in the WSeries this morning, in a dry and very closely fought qualifying in Zolder.
Beitske Visser had topped the timesheets for most of the 25 minutes session, but with less then 4 minutes to go, the current championship leader posted a 1:28.681 lap, a mere 0.116 secs faster than Visser but good enough for pole.
Chadwick also had a brief run into the grass at turn one, but continued without consequences.
Visser will thus start from second place, but her pace suggests that the battle for the win is still very much on.
After a troubled friday, Alice Powell came back to take third by 0.441, while Marta Garcia will line up beside her in the second row, after a clean last attempt with no traffic.
Sarah Moore and Fabienne Wohlwend will start from P5 and P6 respectively, after another solid qualifying performance for both.
Tasmin Pepper, Esmee Hawkey, Vicky Piria and Gosia Rdest completed the top 10.
Jessica Hawkins was 14th fastest, but has been reported to the stewards for having crossed the white line at the pit exit. No penalty has been applied for the time being.
Rookie Sarah Bovy couldn't unfortunately go faster than 1:31.463 and will line up P19 for her debut race.
She, however, will not be the only reserve driver taking part in the race, as Hungarian Vivien Keszthelyi was notified to take part in qualifying due to an unfit Emma Kimilainen.
“I’m sorry for Emma, of course, but otherwise I’m surprised but pleased to be offered this chance. I feel completely prepared for this last-minute opportunity and look forward to making my W Series debut this afternoon.” - said Keszthelyi, who was fast enough to finish 10th yesterday in practice and 16th in today's qualifying.
The streak of bad luck continues for Kimilanen, who despite an impressive pace in practice hasn't been able to race further than the lap one crash in Hockenheim.
Seemingly, the first round incident is among the causes for this additional stop, as the talented Finnish driver has been advised by Hintsa Performance, WSeries health experts, not to drive today.
"I understand the medical advice that Hintsa Performance has given, although I’m obviously frustrated not to be competing today. I ran competitively yesterday and had been very much looking forward to racing today." - Kimilainen said.
“However, it became clear during the course of yesterday that the lap-one shunt I was involved in at Hockenheim two weeks ago had triggered a recurrence of an old injury.
Obviously I very much hope to be back in the W Series car at Misano in early June.”
Race will start at 16:10 (CET).
Ph credits: WSeries media