Experienced Jolyon Palmer shot onto pole position for the season-opening GP2 Series race in Bahrain.
Palmer (DAMS) cracked an impressive 1:38.865s to topple Stoffel Vandoorne with Daniel Abt third quickest.
The veteran GP2 steerer Felipe Nasr set the early running before the Carlin driver ended up eighth fastest, one place behind the top Kiwi Mitch Evans (Russian Time).
Stephane Richelmi (DAMS) will start on the outside of the second row followed by Rio Haryanto (EQ8 Caterham Racing) with Stefano Coletti (Racing Engineering) in sixth.
The weekend race format kicks off with a 32-lap feature which includes a compulsory pit stop and tyre change followed the shorter 23-lap sprint race.