A thrilling Fanatec GT Endurance title decider is in prospect at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this afternoon after Iron Lynx snatched pole position with its #71 Ferrari, while the championship-leading Akkodis ASP crew could only manage eighth on the grid.
Were the race to finish that way, Antonio Fuoco would seal the driver's championship, while Iron Lynx would take the teams' crown. But with the #88 Mercedes-AMG expected to run better in warmer conditions, it sets up a fascinating three-hour contest.
IRON LYNX TAKES OVERALL POLE, GARAGE 59 STARS IN SILVER
The title-chasing squad earned a crucial bonus point by taking pole. Alessandro Pier Guidi was quickest in Q1, while Alessio Rovera managed the fifth-best time in Q2. Fuoco was sixth in the closing session, enough to secure pole by just 0.003s from the #54 Dinamic Motorsport Porsche.
Matteo Cairoli was the best of the Porsche squad's drivers, topping Q3 and setting the best lap of the entire qualifying process. The #63 Emil Frey Racing Lamborghini qualified third with its crew of Bortolotti/Aitken/Costa and should be a factor this afternoon.
The #159 Garage 59 McLaren was a brilliant fourth overall and earned Silver Cup pole in the process. Dean MacDonald was fastest of anyone in Q2, while Nicolai Kjærgaard was just 0.001s shy of Cairoli in the final segment of qualifying.
IRON DAMES SNATCH GOLD CUP POLE, GARAGE 59 TOPS PRO-AM
The Iron Dames emulated the sister Iron Lynx squad by taking a crucial bonus point as they chase championship glory in the Gold Cup. The #83 Ferrari crew of Bovy/Frey/Gatting will line up 24th overall, 12 places clear of class rival Inception Racing.
In Pro-Am, Garage 59 completed a perfect session with its #188 earning class pole. The crew of West/Ramos/Chaves will start 29th overall, 11 spots ahead of their nearest Pro-Am rivals.
This afternoon's race gets underway at 15:00 CEST. All of the action from the finale will be streamed live in English, German, French and Italian on the GT World YouTube channel.
POLE-SITTERS
- OVERALL: #71 Iron Lynx Ferrari (P1)
- SILVER: #159 Garage 59 McLaren (P4)
- GOLD: #83 Iron Dames Ferarri (P24)
- PRO-AM: #188 Garage 59 McLaren (P29)
