Qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas saw a pair of quick fire 20 minute sessions with temperatures in the mid 30s Celsius.
The GTEs were out first but one car would not post a lap, Earl Bamber’s return in the #88 Abu Dhabi Proton Porsche thwarted by zero fuel pressure in a newly switched engine after issues in FP3.
Also in trouble, albeit not as terminal for the session were the pair of GTE Pro Ferraris, both cars finding a massive change in track surface after the day’s earlier track action had removed a huge amount of available grip, the 458s way down on pace and the #51 managing no better than 6th in the session, the sister car dog last.
The Battle then would be between Porsche and Aston Martin and at first it seemed the #92 911 RSR held the advantage, Fred Mako’s early advantage though was soon overhauled, the #92 would end the session 5th.
That left a very close battle between the three Aston Martins and the #91 Porsche which looked to be going the Porsche’s way after a strong early run from Championship leader Richard Lietz.
That though was before the efforts of Richie Stanaway came into play, Fernando Rees had kept the #99 Valero liveried car in the hunt but his Kiwi team-mate blasted around in fabulous style setting the two fastest laps of the session in class to put the #99 on pole with the only combined time under 2:06 – 2:05.872, and a quarter second gap on the opposition, the top 5 separated by just half a secons with the #97 and #95 Astonsjust over a tenth back from the #91 Porsche.
In GTE Am there was a newsworthy and deserved Pole position from the #77 Dempsey Proton Porsche, Patrick Dempsey putting in a strong early performance ahead of a fighting run from Pat Long that saw him firstly into contention, and then, on the very last lap, grabbing pole with an average over the 2 drivers of 2:08.085, 6 hundredths clear of the #96 AMR Aston Martin, Benny Simonsen starting the session and Stuart Hall putting in a fighting display in pursuit of pole that fell just short.
The #83 AF Corse Ferrari continued its improved form posting third fastest time ahead of an ominously good looking #98 Aston Martin before we saw the Championship leading #72 SMP Ferrari in the order.
