Super Pole to Be Added to FIA GT World Cup

Photo: FIA

A new ‘Super Pole’ qualifying segment will be added to the FIA GT World Cup in Macau this year.

Confirmed in Wednesday’s FIA World Motor Sport Council, which was held virtually, the format for the Nov. 13-16 event on the Guia Circuit has been slightly altered compared to recent editions.

A second segment of qualifying, designated as Q2, will be reserved for the ten quickest drivers from the first 30-minute qualifying session.

Q2, which will also be known as Super Pole, will see each driver on track individually for a total of two qualifying laps, with each competitor also being permitted to use a new set of tires in that session.

The rest of the event will remain the same as in the previous years, featuring a 12-lap qualifying race followed by a 16-lap FIA GT World Cup-deciding main contest.

The change for the eighth edition of the GT World Cup comes after an “in-depth revision incorporating competitors’ feedback” according to a statement from the FIA.

“It’s a great idea to introduce the Super Pole session in Macau,” said reigning GT World Cup champion Maro Engel.

“This will be one of the most spectacular and exciting sessions of the season and it should also secure the sporting fairness. The fans have a lot to look forward to.”

Two-time GT World Cup champion Raffaele Marciello added: “In Macau, it was always tricky to have a clean lap. With this new format you won’t hear the excuse of traffic or a red flag.

“To have only two laps will be very challenging but now the fastest guy will probably be on pole.”

2016 GT World Cup winner Laurens Vanthoor said there will be “no excuses” in qualifying anymore.

“You will have the added pressure because you only have those two laps,” he said. “If you make a mistake, there’s nothing after that.

“In a normal qualifying, you have more chances. Personally, a shootout is always something I enjoy a lot.

“For drivers, on a track like this, it will almost be the highlight of the weekend.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John