Artem Markelov (RUSSIAN TIME) storms to pole position at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. The Russian is followed by Nyck de Vries (Racing Engineering) and Antonio Fuoco (PREMA Racing) completes the top 3.
Artem Markelov flies to his 1st ever pole position, with an impressive run. The Russian was on top straight from the start of the session. Charles Leclerc (PREMA Racing) seemed to be struggling in the first half of the session, not finding the pace to get higher than 5th. Ahead of him we can find, next to Markelov, Norma Nato (Pertamina Arden), Sergio Sette Camara (MP Motorsport) and Alex Palou (Campos Racing).
With the first times being set all drivers get in the pits, except for the DAMS and ART Grand Prix drivers. They seem on an alternate strategy, wanting to set a time with less action on track. It pays off for the ART boys, Alexander Albon finds himself 2nd followed by his teammate Nobuharu Matsushita in 3rd. While Oliver Rowland and Nicholas Latifi find themselves, respectively in 5th and 7th spot.
With the second run underway, Markelov still seems like the driver to beat. A lot of drivers manage to improve, including him. He sets a beautifully timed lap, that will have all the drivers wondering how he got it. Nyck de Vries is one of those drivers to improve his timed lap, he finds himself up in 2nd, then followed by Antonio Fuoco, who unlike his teammate, seems to have found the pace in the car.
Markelov will have a front row start with de Vries next to him. Behind them we can find Fuoco in 3rd and Rowland in 4th. Nato, Leclerc, Ghiotto, Matsushita, Sette Camara and Albon complete the top 10. Rookie Lando Norris (Campos Racing) managed a good session, qualifying in 14th position for his first ever Formula 2 race.
