Petronas Sprinta Racing’s John McPhee set the 12th fastest Moto3 time around the Spielberg circuit on Saturday, lining him up on the fourth row of tomorrow’s StyrianGP.

McPhee left it to the final moments of FP3 before improving on his Friday time and securing his place in the afternoon’s all-important qualifying session. His 1’36.159 lap placing him seventh overall and just two-tenths down on Ayumu Sasaki’s fastest effort.

The Scot’s best qualifying lap was set early on in the afternoon contest, recording a 1’36.743 time with his second attack as yellow flags hampered his final flying lap. He ended Q2 12th, 0.290s away from pole with his team-mate one row ahead, in eighth.

“I’m feeling really good and I’ve done nearly all of my laps alone on track so far this weekend,” McPhee said from the Red Bull Ring on Saturday afternoon.

“Yesterday we were inside the top-three in both sessions and today we were 0.2seconds off the pace in 12th. Obviously not happy with the position but I’m happy with my pace.

“There were a couple of small errors, which seem like nothing, but even a tenth would have gained us a few places. Overall I’m happy and I think we’re in really good shape for the race, whether it’s wet or dry. It looks like a wet one, which will be tricky but I’m ready either way and looking forward to getting back to it.

“This track has been difficult in the past in the rain but it will be interesting and if warm up is wet then at least we can get a bit of a feel for it.”