Luca Stolz will start tonight's GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Sprint Cup contest at Magny-Cours from pole position in the #4 HRT Mercedes-AMG.
The German driver was in control after 10 of the 20 minutes had elapsed, but faced a renewed challenge during the second half of the session when Steven Palette (#26 Sainteloc Racing Audi) leapt to the top of the times with a 1m36.410s.
Stolz responded, posting a 1m36.114s on his final lap to secure a maiden pole position for Hubert Haupt's new HRT squad. Mikael Grenier will join him on the front row after coming within 0.077s of matching the benchmark in the #14 Emil Frey Racing Lamborghini.
Palette ended the session an excellent third overall, ensuring that the Frenchman will start tonight's race from Silver Cup pole. Tommaso Mosca took fourth in the #55 Attempto Audi, followed by Silver class frontrunner Ezequiel Perez Companc (#90 Madpanda Motorsport Mercedes) and the championship-leading #32 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT machine of Charles Weerts.
Pro-Am pole was largely disputed between the Sky Tempesta Racing squad. Chris Froggatt emerged on top in the #93 Ferrari, beating the sister #92 machine of Jonathan Hui by 0.273s. Louis Machiels completed a Ferrari one-two-three in the #52 AF Corse machine, a second back from Hui.
All 23 cars ran during qualifying. The #108 CMR Bentley was back in action following a fire during official testing and ended the session among 18 cars seprated by less than a second. Full results can be viewed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Tonight's opening one-hour race will get going at 22.15 CET, with coverage streamed live on the championship’s official website and Facebook pages, as well as the GT World YouTube channel.