Fran Rueda (#47 Teo Martin BMW) narrowly took pole in a late-session shootout, and will be joined on the front row by the #51 Luzich Ferrari of Alessandro Pier Guidi and fellow International GT Open title contender Mikkel Mac.
During the first flurry of flying laps, Bradley Ellis put the #96 Optimum Audi R8 to the top with a 1:47.196. However, Fran Rueda bettered this time to a few minutes later with a 1:47.148, and Alessandro Pier Guidi then bettered him by just 15 hundredths of a second with a 1:47.133.
These lap times would remain the top times until a red flag was triggered with 8 to go – The #7 Teo Martin BMW of Guilherme Salas lost a wheel at the first chicane, requiring a brief recovery process from the marshals.
The first flying laps post-red flag were quick – Nicklas Nielsen (#52 Luzich Ferrari) bumped Bradley Ellis down to third. Seconds later, Jeroen Mul (#63 Imperiale Lamborghini) topped the timing sheets with a 1:47.085. Immediately thereafter, Fran Rueda improved to a 1:47.012.
Jeroen Mul then crossed the line to complete his final lap, improving to a 1:46.963.
However, the bar was then lowered for the final time by Rueda, crossing the line for a 1:46.621. Mul was then knocked off the front Row, with Alessandro Pier Guidi’s final lap – a 1:46.665 – good enough for second.
Mul will start third alongside the sister #25 Imperiale Lamborghini of Rik Breukers, while row three will be occupied by Andrea Montermini (#11 RS Racing Ferrari) and Nicklas Nielsen in the PRO-AM class #51 Luzich Ferrari. Despite losing a wheel during the session, Guilherme Salas (#7 Teo Martin BMW) was the fastest of the AM drivers, and will start 17th.
With the front row occupied by the driver line-up of Rueda and Saravia, and Dane Mikkel Mac, who are tied at the top of the table, this afternoon’s race could be a critical moment in the championship. This afternoon’s race will start at 14:15 CEST.
