Dries Vanthoor completed a Team WRT qualifying sweep at Misano by surging to pole for this afternoon's contest.
Following a comfortable run to victory yesterday, the #32 Audi was on top form again today. Vanthoor traded fastest laps with Christopher Haase (#11 Tresor by Car Collection Audi) during the first half of the session, the latter occupying top spot at the 10-minute mark.
When the second set of runs got underway Raffaele Marciello established himself at the head of the order with a 1m31.361s, the #89 Akkodis ASP Mercedes-AMG driver looking to bag a fourth successive Fanatec Sprint pole and keep his championship challenge on track.
But there was nothing he could do about title rival Vanthoor. The Belgian went fastest, only to have his lap cancelled for track limits. No matter: the Team WRT man pushed on and went even quicker, posting a 1m30.942s.
Marciello could perhaps have gone faster, but encountered traffic on his final lap. Things got worse for the Akkodis ASP man as two more Audis went quicker, placing Haase and Chris Mies (#33 Team WRT Audi) second and third respectively.
This gives Vanthoor and teammate Charles Weerts a golden opportunity to extend their championship advantage this afternoon. Five of this season's six Fanatec Sprint races have been won from pole, making the #32 Audi crew strong favourites for another victory.
Ulysse de Pauw qualified sixth overall and earned Silver Cup pole in the #53 AF Corse Ferrari. This edges the Belgian a little closer to sealing his class title alongside teammate Pierre-Alexandre Jean. Indeed, should they taken victory this afternoon they will be champions with a round to spare.
Dean MacDonald will start from ninth overall and on Pro-Am pole after another strong showing in the #188 Garage 59 McLaren. The Scottish driver's 1m31.713s placed him six spots ahead of Norbert Siedler in the similar #111 entry from JP Motorsport.
This afternoon's race gets underway at 14:45 CEST. Live coverage will be broadcast on the GT World YouTube channel and across social media, with commentary available in English, German, French and Italian.
