WRT BMW Loses Qualifying Lap Times, Aston Inherits Pole

The WRT BMW of Kelvin van der Linde that originally qualified on pole for the second GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup race at Magny-Cours will start at the back of the grid after losing all of its qualifying lap times for overboosting.

The No. 32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO had clocked a 1:35.927 in van der Linde’s hands to seemingly achieve pole but it was found to have used 10mbar more boost than permitted at “several points” during the ten-minute session.

WRT admitted this was due to a mistake made when establishing the atmospheric pressure.

It is a major blow for championship leaders van der Linde and teammate Charles Weerts, especially with the French track being notoriously difficult for overtaking in modern GT3 machinery.

Their sanction promotes the No. 7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo of Nicki Thiim to pole, while the No. 84 Eastalent Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II has inherited a front-row starting spot thanks to the efforts of Christopher Haase.

The Audi was involved in a collision that caused a lengthy full-course yellow during the opening evening race on Saturday with mechanics enduring a late night to successfully repair the car in time for qualifying.

The only comfort for the WRT crew is that several of the other championship frontrunners also did not enjoy the strongest qualifying sessions with the No. 3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, that won the first race, only starting seventh with Dani Juncadella at the wheel.

The AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo of Arthur Leclerc and the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG of Maro Engel are also only eighth and tenth, respectively, on the grid.

RESULTS: Revised Qualifying