He rolled in and out over the trees before gate 6 and then sliced the pylon... the airgators are out and it's back up in no time!
But that's +3s added to the time... and he also picks up 2s at gate 10. Bad day at the office for the young Canadian. It's a 1:12.757 and he's way down in 13th place
Sonka taxiing out now to make his standing start on Ascot's hallowed ground
He's off! And you need fast acceleration from the off to really make the most of this
straight into the first gate and there's no time to get it wrong here... this is the only track where the pilots have to tackle this and those with more power will really feel the benefit
The Czech pilot is hot on Bonhomme's heels! It's a 1:07.603 for Sonka!
Now down to the top 3... Hall up first
Do those monster winglets make a difference in this technical track?
Tight turns are the key and that's where the winglets can really add an advantage
Bye bye Bonhomme! Hall slips ahead with a 1:06.284 :) That has raised the bar and we know he's got a but more to give!
Arch should be up next but Bonhomme is going first – the Austrian has engine issues and we'll await more info on this
That's a tough call for Arch. He won't fly again today.
So it's back to Bonhomme - much to the home crowd's delight!
He's got Hall's 1:06.284 to beat
It's red on the split times again, and red again... but it's the second part of the course that seems to really suit the acceleration from Bonhomme's Edge 540. And he's on it! 1:06.023 for the local hero – textbook Paul Bonhomme, says Mangold
Back with you! Sorry for the delay :)
First half of the field has flown and the results are in:
KOPFSTEIN 1:20.776
BARROS 1:27.653 inc +4s
BERGER 1:27.444
RYFA gets the buzzer for incorrect level! But it's still a 1:21.982... that penalty puts him down in third place. Still a podium, though :)