Qualifying 1: Matsuura fastest

The Prema Powerteam driver, who finished runner-up in this year's German Formula 3 title chase, had been in contention for the top spot all the way through the 45-minute session as the times tumbled. And he did not let a brief red flag session affect his concentration as he made the most of the break to capitalise on the fastest track conditions in the closing seconds.

The red flag had been brought out with just less than 13 minutes remaining following two unconnected accidents. Local driver Lei Kit Meng badly damaged his car after hitting the barriers backwards, while Alan van de Merwe put his Carlin Motorsport sideways into the barriers.

Japanese Yuji Ide left it until his final lap to secure second place on the grid, 0.818s behind his compatriot, while James Courtney proved one of the sensations of the day as he grabbed provisional third spot in the closing seconds on his first visit to Macau.

The former Jaguar Formula 1 test driver, who finished runner-up in this year's British F3 championship, said: "I was really starting to push towards the end. I had been fairly quick all day but I didn't really want to go off so I wasn't taking any risks. But the red flag session really helped because it allowed me to make an improvement to my set-up and that really helped. On my final lap I knew I could take bigger chances, and it really paid off."

Italian Paolo Montin, who had been quickest in the morning session, had no complaints about his session despite ending up only fourth.

Heikki Kovalainen complained of feeling slightly unwell during the session but ended up fifth fastest. "I don't know what I've got, but I should be alright by tomorrow," said the Finn.

French Formula 3 champion Tristan Gommendy ruined his chances of grabbing provisional pole position when he brushed the wall at the exit of R. Bend and damaged his left rear wheel. He ended up sixth overall after challenging for the top spot for much of the session.

Kousuke Matsuura F302 Spiess-Opel 2m15.768s
Yuji Ide Dallara F302 Sodemo-Renault 2m16.586s
James Courtney Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda 2m16.642s
Paolo Montin Dallara F302 TOM's-Toyota 2m16.668s
Heikki Kovalainen Dallara F302 Sodemo-Renault 2m16.733s
Tristan Gommendy Dallara F302 Sodemo-Renault 2m16.855s
Narain Karthikeyan Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda 2m16.977s
Robert Doornbos Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda 2m17.156s
Olivier Pla Dallara F302 Sodemo-Renault 2m17.527s
Bruce Jouanny Dallara F302 Mugen-Honda 2m17.556s