Akkodis ASP paced Saturday morning’s Free Practice at the Nürburgring. The 90-minute session began on a damp circuit, though a few bursts of sunshine saw the times tumble as grip levels increased.
Driving the title-chasing #88 Mercedes-AMG, Timur Boguslavskiy posted a 1m55.163s during the latter stages to pip Leonardo Pulcini (#19 Iron Lynx Lamborghini) to top spot. The Italian had occupied P1 for some time and remained the best of the Gold Cup contingent at the chequered flag.
The #11 Comtoyou Racing Audi was third quickest courtesy of Fred Vervisch. Phillip Ellis put the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG fourth overall and second in the Gold Cup, with Dennis Marschall completing the top-five in the #40 Tresor Orange1 Audi.
Ezequiel Perez Companc was the best of the Silver Cup entrants for Madpanda Motorsport. The #90 Mercedes-AMG was ninth overall, a little over half a second shy of Boguslavskiy’s benchmark.
The Iron Dames Lamborghini led the way in the Bronze Cup thanks to Michelle Gatting, the Danish driver posting the 11th best time overall. The class leaders were completed by the #78 Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini, which was 21st overall with Dennis Lind at the wheel.
With changing grip levels, it was inevitable that a number of cars would find the gravel at some stage. Series newcomer Kobe Pauwels spun twice in the #11 Audi, the 18-year-old testing the limits on his GT3 debut. Despite this, the session ran without stoppage.
Pre-Qualifying
Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar hit the front in Pre-Qualifying at the Nürburgring thanks to a 1m54.173s from Fabian Schiller. The #777 was more than three tenths clear of its nearest challenger at the conclusion of the 90-minute session.
As was the case in this morning’s Free Practice, Leonardo Pulcini was second overall and led the Gold Cup. The #19 Iron Lynx Lamborghini has shown good pace thus far on what looks to be a promising weekend for the Italian marque.
Indeed, the same brand led the Silver Cup order, with the #85 Grasser Racing entry placing fifth overall in the hands of Glen Van Berlo. Barwell Motorsport made it three class leaders for Lamborghini by topping Pro-Am. Dennis Lind set the best time in the #78 car, which he will share with Rob Collard this weekend. The Bronze Cup was topped by a Porsche with CLRT leading the way in 13th overall. Factory driver Fred Makowiecki posted a 1m55.197s aboard the #44 machine.
As was the case in Free Practice, the session was able to run without interruption. There were a number of off-track moments, including a dramatic spin for Lorenzo Patrese in the #99 Audi, though nothing serious enough to warrant a stoppage. Dry conditions prevailed throughout, while sunshine is forecast for Sunday.
Pics copyright SRO
