James Thompson admits that he was targeting the reverse-grid pole position for the second FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) race at Zandvoort, giving the Brit his first front-row start in two years.
Thompson was tenth fastest in Monday morning’s WTCR qualifying session, which gives the Brit pole position for the first race of the day (the second of the weekend) at lunchtime.
It is the Münnich Motorsport driver’s first pole position since Morocco in the WTCC in 2016, and only his third in the past eight seasons of racing, all of which were reverse-grid poles.
“It was fantastic,” said Thompson. “To be honest that was our goal, we were not so confident with the car yesterday so I’m pleased.
“The boys worked hard, we made a few gains and we were in the top twelve. It was a great result for the team yesterday and with three races per weekend they’ve all got to be won the way the rules are.”
Thompson’s pole adds to the fact that team-mates Esteban Guerrieri and Yann Ehrlacher qualified in fifth and sixth respectively for the first two races.
“It’s good for the team to have all three cars in the top ten and P10 is exciting and gives us something to play for today.
“It puts smiles on the boys faces because they work so hard during these long weekends.”