Already crowned FIA Formula 3 European Champion Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam, 1m31.639s) secured pole position for the first race of the final weekend of the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Behind the development driver of the Williams Formula 1 team, Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam, 1m31.689s), novice Jake Hughes (Carlin, 1m31.761s) and Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam, 1m31.875s) were classified in second to fourth place at the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. David Beckmann (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, 1m31.627s), the youngest driver in the field, was less pleased. After technical scrutineering, the German was excluded as his car was found to be not in compliance with the regulations, but will be allowed to start the 28th race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season from the last row of the grid. 

The penalty for the youngest driver in the field brought Lance Stroll pole position for the first race at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. The Canadian was 0.071 seconds faster than his team-mate Maximilian Günther. Together with Nick Cassidy, George Russell (HitechGP, no time) and Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1m32.118s), Günther is still in the battle for second place in the final FIA Formula 3 European Championship standings.

Next up behind Günther was Jake Hughes, who is participating for the first time in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the Hockenheim weekend. Thus, the Brit ranked between the two Formula 3 stalwarts Günther and Cassidy. Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam, 1m32.064s), who is battling with Joel Eriksson (Motopark, 1m32.215s) and Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1m32.071s) for the rookie title, ended up fifth from his French rival Hubert. Callum Ilott, debutant Lando Norris (Carlin, 1m32.157s), Eriksson, who is currently on top of the rookie standings, and Nikita Mazepin (HitechGP, 1m32.265s) rounded out the top ten.