Jake Dixon’s ever-improving form was demonstrated at the Le Mans circuit today with two top-eight finishes in both the final FP3 and Q2 sessions at the French track. The Brit’s frustration with his final qualification position evidence of the growing confidence he’s finding with his Petronas Sprinta machine.

Saturday’s completely dry conditions left Dixon once again learning the evolving Bugatti Circuit as his good form continued from Friday’s practice. Remaining at the sharp end of the standings throughout FP3, the 24-year-old secured his automatic entry to Q2 with the seventh fastest time of the session, a 1’37.116, set on just his ninth of 17 laps around the 4.2km layout.

Carrying his assertive momentum through to the afternoon shootout, Dixon circulated in fourth for the majority of the session, with a fastest lap of 1’36.826 before the groups final attack on the times relegated him to eighth. The Brit will line up in the middle of the third row, and alongside his teammate Xavi Vierge, for Sunday’s 25-lap French GP, with the contest schedule for a later than normal start at 13:30 UK time.

“In some ways I’m happy, but also being fourth for most of the qualifying session and then slipping to eighth on the last lap is disappointing," said Dixon.

“I think we went in the wrong direction with the bike, but we thought we were going in the right direction. It’s a bit of a mistake, but it’s no one’s fault. We’re going to change the bike back to how it was, as it felt really good as it was before.

“I know I can do a good race tomorrow, I’m feeling confident. Of course, I am still happy to be on the third row again, it is only my first year on the Kalex. I do know that we can be running in the top-five though.

"At the end of the day you don’t win any prizes for qualifying, tomorrow is where it counts. The aim will be to get a good start in the race and then see what happens.”