ALEX Lynn will start from pole position in the third FIA Formula 3 European Championship race at Silverstone this weekend after making a late switch to dry tyres in a rain-affected qualifying session.

The 19-year-old Dunmow racer followed up a solid performance in qualifying for race one and two with a stellar lap which propelled him to the top of the pile.

He will start the first two races, to be held on Saturday, from second and fourth on the grid, respectively.

Speaking afterwards, Lynn said: “Second qualifying wasn’t easy because the track was damp at first but then dried more and more. The decision to change to slicks was absolutely right.

“In the final minutes my car was fantastic. My mechanics handled the tyre change really quickly, which was very important. The first few laps with slicks were still difficult, but then they got warmer and things improved.

“For the three races, I now hope to score some points. Even more so, as this is my home race.”

Championship leader Raffaele Marciello is also well-placed to add to his points tally after qualifying fourth, third and second for races one to three, respectively.

British driver Harry Tincknell is on pole for the opening two races, while Saffron Walden’s Tom Blomqvist endured a difficult session with his EuroInternational team. The 19-year-old Red Bull Junior driver ended up 12th for race one and 13th for tomorrow’s second event.

In the second qualifying session he was forced to stop on track after a wheel came loose from his car, meaning he will have to start from the back of the field for race three.

The home of British motorsport will host the first two Formula 3 European Championship races of the weekend tomorrow (Saturday) and the final event on Sunday.

It is the second round in the championship after last month’s opener at the legendary Monza circuit in Italy. Lynn currently lies fifth in the championship, one place and four points ahead of Blomqvist.