Boutsen VDS will start the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale from pole after Morris Schuring, Dorian Boccolacci and Alessio Picariello combined for the fastest average in qualifying at Portimão.
The #2 Porsche 911 GT3 R averaged 1:42.071 across the three segments, 0.108 seconds clear of the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG of Ralf Aron, Maximilian Götz and Fabian Schiller. Schuring and Boccolacci set the pace in the first two segments, leaving Picariello to secure pole and its bonus point in Q3. It is the first Endurance Cup pole for the 992.2-spec Porsche.
The #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche was third, ahead of the #64 HRT Ford. Arthur Leclerc, younger brother of Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles, starts fifth in the #50 AF Corse Ferrari he shares with Albert Costa and Lilou Wadoux. The #48 Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER car of the Endurance Cup champions starts sixth.
Simon Birch set the session’s fastest single lap, 1:41.652, to put the #71 Selected Car Racing Ferrari on Gold Cup pole and eighth overall. The #30 WRT BMW of Amaury Cordeel, Matisse Lismont and Ignacio Montenegro took Silver Cup pole in 15th, and Robert de Haan secured Bronze Cup pole in the #991 Paradine Competition BMW in 22nd. Each class pole earns one championship point.
Valentino Rossi faces a recovery drive. The #46 WRT BMW he shares with Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen starts 59th after failing to record a valid time in Q2, leaving it behind every crew with a full set of times.
Max Verstappen’s #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing car starts 14th.
The three-hour race starts at 17:00 local time on Saturday.
READ MORE – De Haan puts Paradine BMW on Bronze Cup pole for Portimão finale
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