Luca Stolz (Black Falcon) and Fabian Schiller (AKKA ASP) emerged from a challenging qualifying battle to secure a pole position sweep for Mercedes-AMG in the maiden Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe round at Brands Hatch.
The two 20-minute sessions were staged in dramatically varying weather conditions, with glorious sunshine one moment followed by heavy rain the next. This made qualifying a true test of the drivers' mettle as the 26-car field attempted to pick the perfect moment to post a lap. Ultimately, it was the two Mercedes-AMG squads that mastered this challenge the best.
The opening session began on a damp circuit, with times improving throughout the early minutes. A crash for Diego Menchaca (#555 Orange1 FFF Racing Lamborghini Huracan) brought out a red flag after eight minutes, the Mexican emerging unharmed from a heavy rear impact at turn 1.
When the track went green once more the times began to tumble dramatically, allowing several leading contenders to stake their claim for pole position. Kelvin van der Linde (#66 Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS), Andrea Caldarelli (#563 Orange1 FFF Racing Lamborghini Huracan), Nico Bastian (AKKA ASP Mercedes-AMG) and Mirko Bortolotti (Grasser Racing Lamborghini Huracan) all spent time in P1 as the order changed rapidly.
But it was Stolz in his #4 Black Falcon Mercedes-AMG who posted a stellar lap to establish himself in provisional pole with just a few moments remaining. Bortolotti then set out to recapture top spot and looked capable of doing so, only to crash on his final fast lap. This brought out a red flag to end the session early, confirming Stolz in P1.
Bortolotti will nevertheless start tomorrow's opening race from second, with Bastian third overall and on Silver Cup pole. In the Pro-Am category, Brands Hatch debutant Louis Machiels earned an excellent class pole in his #52 AF Corse Ferrari 488.
The second session would prove just as dramatic, albeit in different circumstances. It began on a dry surface, but with dark clouds over the circuit rain seemed a certainty. This led to an extremely busy track in the opening moments as drivers endeavoured to set a fast lap before the heavens opened.
Schiller was quickest after the opening few minutes, edging out Nick Foster (#66 Attempto Audi) to secure provisional pole. Then the rain began to fall and, just as it did, Christopher Mies (#2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS) and Stephane Ortelli (#24 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS) went off at turn 1. The two Audi machines tangled, bringing out a red flag, and as the rain intensified Schiller was effectively assured pole position.
This represented a major achievement by the German youngster, who will compete for Silver Cup honours this weekend. He will be joined on the front row by Nick Foster, with Maro Engel placing the car he shares with Stolz third.
Pro-Am pole for the second outing was secured by Jim Pla, who completed a standout day for Mercedes-AMG by taking the brand’s fifth pole position from a possible six in his #87 AKKA ASP machine. In the Am Cup category, the lone HB Racing Ferrari 488 secured an excellent 16thoverall for the second outing after judging its lap to perfection.
Sunday will see a pair of 60-minute sprint races take place at the British track and should provide just as much excitement as Saturday’s qualifying exploits. A number of potential race-winners have been left out of position by today's events and will be looking to charge through the field, notably the #88 AKKA ASP Mercedes-AMG of Raffaele Marciello and Vincent Abril which will start both races from sixth.
The opening race gets underway at 12.10, with the second run scheduled for a 16.35 start. It promises to be an explosive start to a new era as Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe contests its maiden round.
