GP2: Pantano takes Hockenheim pole

Giorgio Pantano stormed to pole position in this afternoon's qualifying session at the Hockenheimring, claiming the top spot ahead of Romain Grosjean and Andreas Zuber. The Italian's best lap of 1:21.650 put him three tenths ahead of his nearest rivals in the first half of the session, and with temperatures dropping as time passed, his rivals were unable to respond on track. The session opened under blue skies, prompting all of the drivers to get out on track immediately to set banker laps: Zuber, Bruno Senna, Pantano and Grosjean set the early running when they were able to find a hole in the traffic, but Pantano stayed out for one lap longer than most of his rivals and was able to take advantage of the clear track to set his best lap of the session, before spinning on the next lap and coming back to the pits for fresh... [read full story]