Nikola Tsolov takes maiden F3 pole with impressive pace in Monaco
Qualifying in a group format around the tight streets of Monaco was no problem for the Red Bull junior.
MONACO–Nikola Tsolov took an impressive maiden FIA Formula 3 pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.
With qualifying split into two groups to make room around the tight streets of Monte Carlo, Tsolov was dominant from the outset, leading his group in a tight battle with Noel León.
Tsolov excelled as the session progressed and lap times dropped, setting a time of 1:24.882 that could not be bested despite the attempts of the 15 other drivers in the second group.
"Finally in three years, I've managed to do it, and it's a great place to do so," said the Bulgarian.
"I think it's the most important one as well. I'm a bit speechless.
"I'm really happy and it feels a bit surreal, to be honest, but let's see how it goes on Sunday."
The first group had worked a lot better to stay in the same program of fast laps to avoid interrupting the chances of the other 14 drivers, but it looked as though Tsolov would miss his chance when he aborted his penultimate attempt.
"I had a rear lock in the second sector, so I had to abort the lap, which then made me go out of sequence, but I still managed to find a gap to push on the next lap and then it was kind of all or nothing, to be honest."
The second group found it harder to make space for each other, but with the track improving it seemed certain that they would achieve pole position.
It was a mental battle, with Tsolov reflecting on his way back to the paddock about whether he would have preferred to have been in the second group with the improved grip and a target to beat.
"But I think, if you're in the right mindset, then it shouldn't make any difference."
"Last year I was in the second group and honestly I wasn't really thinking about chasing lap time. You're just so focused, you forget about it."
"So as long as you are with the right approach, it's all good," said the Red Bull junior.
Roman Bilinski will start second for Sunday's feature race after topping the second group, with Mari Boya qualifying third.
Alessandro Giusti was sixth-fastest in the slower group and will start Saturday's reverse-grid sprint race from pole position.
The FIA Formula 3 weekend continues with the sprint race set to begin at 6.45pm AEST on Saturday.
