Louis Deletraz claimed his second Formula V8 3.5 pole position of the season at Jerez after emerging on top in a close battle with Renault Academy stablemate Jack Aitken.

Fortec driver Deletraz’s fastest lap of 1m26.943s was just 0.003 seconds quicker than RP Motorsport’s series debutant Aitken.

Deletraz has endured an eventful meeting, finishing fourth on-the-road in race one – a result that briefly moved him into the lead of the championship – only to be handed a 10-second penalty for a clash with title rival Tom Dillmann that dropped him out of the points.

“This pole is the perfect answer to the stupid penalty I was given yesterday,” said a thrilled Deletraz. “This is a great result for Renault; I’m good friends with Jack, we’re on the program together, and I’m pleased for him.”

Aitken was quickest midway through the half hour session, his best time set on used tires, before being stripped of his that lap for a track limits infringement at Turn 10.

The RP Motorsport driver – who qualified on pole for Saturday’s first race – was relegated to the back of the field, but moved back onto provisional pole entering the final two minutes of qualifying before Deletraz’s late improvement.

“I know just where I lost those three thousandths of a second,” said Aitken. “After losing my first lap, I was being extra careful through Turn 10, and probably gave up a good tenth there.”

Race one winner Matevos Isaakyan continued his strong form to qualify third for SMP Racing, ahead of teammate Matthieu Vaxiviere.

Egor Orudzhev ended the morning as the leading Arden runner in fifth, and will be joined on the third row by Beitske Visser.

Championship leader Dillmann had tough session and will start Sunday afternoon’s race from 13th, one place behind AVF teammate and Force India Formula 1 Friday driver Alfonso Celis Jr.

Charouz-run Lotus driver Rene Binder will start from the last row after spinning off on the exit of Turn 2 eight minutes into qualifying and lightly damaging his car.

RACE TWO QUALIFYING TIMES: