Prema’s Nyck de Vries took pole position for Formula 2’s Feature Race in Russia as title contenders Lando Norris and George Russell claimed second and third respectively.
Mercedes-backed title leader Russell led the way in the session until de Vries posted a rapid time of 1:46.476 that remained the benchmark thereafter.
Russell held second and improved on his erstwhile provisional pole time, but was unable to overhaul de Vries, and was ultimately demoted by Norris.
Norris, who was confirmed for a 2019 F1 seat with McLaren since the last round at Monza, had slipped to seventh, but his final lap vaulted him onto the front row, as he seeks to overturn Russell’s 22-point advantage.
Force India tester Nicholas Latifi drifted through the final corner as he edged DAMS team-mate and outside title contender Alexander Albon for fourth.
Luca Ghiotto placed sixth, in front of Monza victor Tadasuke Makino, with Sergio Sette Camara eighth, the Brazilian slipping through the order during the closing minutes.
Russell’s ART Grand Prix team-mate and Renault F1 junior Jack Aitken took ninth, as Arden’s Maximilian Gunther rounded out the top 10.
Saturday’s 28-lap Feature Race will begin at 16:45 local time
