Ireland's Ralph Firman, suffered a frustrating session after showing an encouraging turn of pace in the A1 Grand Prix qualifying in Durban, South Africa, today.
Firman was in contention for a front-row spot going into the final session but his bid was scuppered by red flags.
American driver Phil Giebler spun first, halting Firman's first attempt at a flying lap, before the same happened a few minutes later when Austria's Mathias Lauda crashed.
To compound Firman's misery, when he was finally allowed to complete a quick lap, his time was ruined by Indian backmarker Armaan Ebrahim, who needlessly held him up and left him in fifth.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Premat kept up France's dominance of the Grand Prix series.
France are clear favourites to win the championship in its inaugural season and Premat, who has shared the seat with Nicolas Lapierre, was again the class of the field in South Africa.
