Marschall Takes Valencia Race 1 Pole in Bronze Ferrari

Dennis Marschall topped qualifying for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup Race 1 at Valencia, while the top three in the overall championship battle qualified outside the top ten.

The No. 74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, which is entered into the Bronze Cup and leads the championship in that category, went quickest with a best lap of 1:30.883.

In the process, Marschall outpaced championship rival Bastian Buus in the No. 89 Lionspeed GP Porsche 911 GT3 R by 0.263 seconds. Eddie Cheever III was third for Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing.

Bronze Cup contenders locked out the overall top three as part of the two-part qualifying session, which saw Pro and Gold Cup cars venture out first while Bronze and Silver Cup cars took part in the second segment.

Pole sitter Marschall continued his strong form from Friday, when he went fastest in both Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying in the car he shares with Dustin Blattner.

Notably, Marschall also took overall pole position in a Bronze Cup entry when GTWC Europe last visited Valencia in 2023, which came when he drove for Tresor Attempto Racing.

Alessio Rovera was the quickest Pro contender after topping the first segment of qualifying, steering the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari to a best time of 1:31.268.

However, both Rovera and third-placed Cheever III received a five-place grid penalty having each accumulated three behaviour warning points.

As a result, the Gold Cup-leading No.58 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo was promoted to third overall, one place ahead of the No. 48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in the hands of Lucas Auer.

Auer, who enters the Sprint Cup finale fourth in the overall drivers’ standings alongside Maro Engel, had a considerably better qualifying than the three other crews in championship contention.

Points leader Charles Weerts qualified 25th overall in the No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 Evo, while second-placed Benjamin Goethe took 15th for Garage 59.

Patric Niederhauser, in turn, put the No. 96 Rutronik Racing Porsche 20th on the grid.

Silver Cup pole position went to the No. 21 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo of Kobe Pauwels in 14th overall.

The opening Sprint Cup race of the weekend kicks off at 2:15 p.m. CEST (8:15 a.m. EST).