Mick Schumacher set a blistering pace in Free Practice 2 of the FIA F3 World Cup as all 28 cars clocked laps ahead of this afternoon’s all-important qualifying session.

Last year’s Qualification Race winner, Callum Illot, looked to have secured the spot himself before Schumacher’s 2:10.674s lap time, so the Carlin racer had to settle for second at the finish.

The session proved hugely competitive with Juri Vips, Jake Hughes and reigning FIA F3 World Cup winner Dan Ticktum next in the order.

Less than half a second separated the top eight drivers around the 6.12KM Guia Circuit with early pace-setter Joel Eriksson, Marcus Armstrong and Alex Palou in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Ralf Aron and Jehan Daruvala completed the top ten order, before the session was cut short in the final minute when TODA Racing’s Toshiki Oyu made contact with the infamous Macau barrier.

Qualifying 2 for the FIA F3 World Cup takes place at 1510 (local time) with Ticktum currently holding provisional pole position ahead of Illot and Schumacher.

You can keep up to date with all of the FIA F3 and GT World Cup action from Macau at www.fia.com, as well as live streaming here or via Facebook.