Wilson qualifies third in Champ Cars

Justin Wilson will start from third on the grid after his best qualifying performance yet in Champ Cars.

The Englishman registered a lap of one minute 14.354 seconds at Fundidora Park, Monterrey to claim a second-row starting slot for the latest race in Mexico.

Wilson, who drove for Minardi and Jaguar in Formula One last season, was slightly disappointed however in that result after having strong hopes of a maiden pole position.

The Mi-Jack Conquest Racing driver, who scored the best qualifying result in his team’s two-year history, said: “The car was very good. We knew that we would have a challenge.

“I made a few mistakes, but there is not time for excuses. I look forward to the race tomorrow and finishing strong. I’m pretty happy, pretty confident.

“We felt that maybe we could have a good shot at challenging for pole, and I think we got off to a great start in the warm-up.”

Wilson was hampered by getting dust in his eye which cut short his practice session and needed treatment at the circuit medical centre.

Sebastien Bourdais took pole position, less than half a second faster than Wilson while local favourite Mario Dominguez was second.