When the Saturday afternoon Superpole final qualifying was switched to a 12-lap, 'wet' weather format Edwards opted to put in one early lap on qualifying tyre then spend his remaining eight laps on a potential rear race Michelin tyre.

His strategy paid off as he recorded his best lap on the second lap of the eight-lap stint. Edwards said: "It looked like the rain was going to stay away so we went for the race tyre to see what would happen."

He continued: "I always knew that after three or four laps I could pull into pit-lane if the plan wasn't working out, fit a qualifier and try for a faster lap."

After taking his sixth front row start from the seven rounds so far, Edwards added: "I feel pretty good about the races. I've shaken off a sore throat and a bad neck and I'll be in better shape tomorrow. Whether it's wet or dry I think we've got the package to win."