Driver of Italian team Zeta Corse Roberto Merhi set fastest time in qualifying ahead of the second race of the Russian stage Formula Renault 3.5. Spaniard drove round the track at Moscow Raceway 1:20.773, only 0.015 seconds ahead of Lotus Richie Stanaway.
Qualification was held in good weather conditions – over Autodrome morning sunshine and the track time to warm up. Merhi showed the best time in the first attempt, a little ahead of the first race winner Sergey Sirotkin. In the second attempt rate has increased significantly, and Pierre Gasly was first, and after Oliver Rowland took the first place.
However, as soon as Merhi completed his fastest lap, it became clear that to compete with him today will be very difficult. His result was half a second better than the nearest of the pursuers. Only on the final lap Stanaway managed close to him to get close.
Sergey Sirotkin finished fifth qualification, but his result currently investigating judge his actions in one of the episodes. Roman Mavlanov showed 18th time.
The only incident during the session was the fly Pietro Fantin in the second turn: car medallist Saturday’s race had to get out in the gravel.
