Today’s FIA World Touring Car Championship time sheets were dominated by N.Technology Alfa Romeo’s James Thompson right up until the last minute of this afternoon’s qualifying.

In a maddening turn of events, Thompson missed out on pole by just 0.014s to Chevrolet’s Alain Menu after his final run was interrupted by yellow flags. He will start alongside the Swiss driver in tomorrow’s first race, ahead of all his main title challengers including every BMW and SEAT driver. Despite that, the Harrogate racer could not hide his disappointment at not securing the top spot for the home crowds after recording the fastest time in every Free Practice earlier in the day. Team-mate Olivier Tielemans was only 1.293s behind Thompson but the exceptionally tight competition within WTCC means he will start from 21st on the grid.

On the second row will be Colin Turkington at the wheel of the Team RAC BMW 320si. The Ulsterman was in contention for a strong grid position for the entire session and eventually completed a lap of 1:33.082 with four minutes of the session left. Alongside him in fourth place will be Tiago Monteiro, making four different manufacturers – Chevrolet, Alfa Romeo, BMW and SEAT at the front of the grid. The Portuguese driver achieved a time of 1:33.207 which was 0.053 of a second better than that of his team-mate Yvan Muller who will line up fifth.

Jörg Müller had a relatively quiet session and eventually qualified seventh with a time of 1:33.297 that he set on his last attempt. Jordi Gené will line up alongside the German driver in eighth position. British drivers Rob Huff and Andy Priaulx will occupy ninth and tenth positions on the grid, with Championship leader Augusto Farfus in 13th. Alessandro Zanardi, qualified 15th, but he will be dropped 10 grid positions due to the penalty he received for being involved in a pile-up at Oschersleben. The Independents' pole position was claimed by Pierre-Yves Corthals who qualified an impressive sixth overall. His closest rivals are SEAT Sport Italia's Roberto Colciago and Massimiliano Pedalà who qualified 17th and 18th.
 

James Thompson: “After this morning our expectations were a little bit higher and I thought I had a bit in reserve should we require it towards the end of the session. It was just unfortunate that we got a yellow flag on my final run. At the end of the day, we’re here with a heavy car and we’re very, very competitive. I’m in a good position but it’s frustrating because you want to be on pole position on your home circuit and you definitely don’t want to be on the outside of the track for the start at Brands Hatch. It’s a straight drag race into the first corner and there’s the gravel trap and everyone runs wide. You’re better to be first or third.”

Olivier Tielemans: It’s a very tricky circuit and I’ve never driven the Grand Prix version. Despite that you can imagine that I’m not happy with my position. I should be nearer the front.”

FIA World Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch, Qualifying Results: 1 Alain MENU (SUI), Chevrolet Lacetti, 1:33.018; 2 James THOMPSON (GBR), Alfa Romeo 156,1:33.032; 3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR), BMW 320si, 1:33.082; 4 Tiago MONTEIRO (POR), SEAT Leon, 1:33.202; 5 Yvan MULLER (FRA), SEAT Leon TDI, 1:33.255; 6 Pierre-Yves CORTHALS (BEL), SEAT Leon, 1:33.289; 7 Jorg MULLER (GER), BMW 320si, 1:33.297; 8 Jordi GENE (ESP), SEAT Leon TDI, 1:33.354; Other: 21 Olivier Tielemans (NED), Alfa Romeo 156, 1:34.325

Eurosport’s WTCC coverage of race one will be shown live tomorrow (Sunday) from 12.00 (CET) onwards and live coverage of race two starting at 15.30 (CET).