Qualifying : Richard Lietz and Porsche at the last second

The qualifying session started on a wet track after a downpour that disrupted the first race of Formula Renault 3.5. After a difficult session, Richard Lietz and Porsche 911 RSR No.77 of Team Felbermayr-Proton surprised everyone by setting the pole time in the last lap, on a gradually drying circuit.

With a time of 2:09.564, the Austrian was the only driver in LMGTE Pro to drop below the 2:10. He crossed the finish line a few seconds before the chequered flag, which allowed him to take a last lap while his rivals were in their final lap. At that time, the British driver James Walker at the wheel of the Ferrari F458 Italia No. 66 JMW Motorsport held the pole time of 2:10.018, which was snatched away at the last second.

The king of pole positions  Gimmi Bruni could do nothing to stop his competitors with the Ferrari F458 Italia No.51 of AF Corse, and had to settle for third place, almost a second behind the Porsche factory driver. Fourth place on the grid will not be occupied by an LMGTE Pro car, but one of LMGTE Am. Stuart Hall, Pescarolo Team driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, set the pole time for his class with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage No.98 of Aston Martin Racing with a time of 2:12.965.

The Porsche 911 RSR No.88 of Team Felbermayr-Proton in the hands of Paolo Ruberti, was also among competitors of LMGTE Pro: This is definitely a very good day for the German team. The Ferrari F458 Italia No.61 of AF Corse, could not repeat its performance free practice sessions, Marco Cioci falling to third place.

The qualifying session was exciting, which bodes well for the race which will start tomorrow (Sunday) August 26th at noon local time.

Dave Davies

Photo: TOWCESTER (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, GREAT BRITAIN), SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, SATURDAY AUGUST 25TH 2012, QUALIFYING.