Abril Leads Ferrari 1-2 in Shortened Brands Pre-Qualifying
Vincent Abril quickest in Pre-Qualifying at Brands Hatch; session cut short by Ford crash...
Photo: JEP/SRO
Vincent Abril led a Ferrari 1-2 in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup Pre-Qualifying at Brands Hatch, which was shortened due to a crash for HRT Ford Performance driver Romain Andriolo.
The No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 topped the session with a best lap of 1:23.754, 0.014 seconds faster than the No. 14 Emil Frey Racing-entered example of Konsta Lappalainen.
In total, three cars from the Prancing Horse broke through into the top five, with the No. 50 AF Corse Ferrari of Arthur Leclerc fourth behind the No. 96 Rutronik Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The Pre-Qualifying session on Saturday afternoon was scheduled to run to a length of 60 minutes, but was red-flagged and shortened after Romain Andriolo crashed at Paddock Hill Bend.
The Frenchman, piloting the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, went straight on at the first corner and made significant contact with the barriers.
The session was subsequently not resumed as a result of the required barrier repairs. Andriolo walked away from the crash unaided.
Sandy Mitchell completed the top five at the wheel of the No. 78 Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 .
Luca Engstler took sixth aboard the No. 63 GRT Grasser Racing Lamborghini, with Lucas Auer seventh behind the wheel of the No. 48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo that led Free Practice earlier on Saturday courtesy of co-driver Maro Engel.
Adam Smalley led Gold Cup in eighth overall aboard the No. 58 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, with the No. 25 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II and No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO completing the top ten.
The No. 10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG, fastest in Silver Cup, fell just outside the top ten in eleventh place overall in the hands of Aurelien Panis.
Qualifying for both of Sunday’s races is scheduled to begin at 4:35 p.m. BST (11:35 EST).
RESULTS: Pre-Qualifying
