Kobayashi takes pole, Ford confirms its pace in GTE Pro

Kamui Kobayashi allowed Toyota to take pole position for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The Japanese completed a lap in 1'54''67 after leaving Mike conway carry out the first test relay. On the other Toyota hybrid, Fernando Alonso will start from second place in the company of Sébastien Buemi et Kazuki Nakajima (+ 379 thousandths). A few hours later, the decommissioning of No. 7 was announced..

The two Rebellions returned to the ranks after their good form in Free Practice 3. The Jani-Lotterer-Senna trio (3rd) moved almost two seconds slower than the Toyotas. The two Ginettas from the Manor team did not run due to financial constraints. As for Stephane Sarrazin (SMP Racing), he did not even register a time, his BR1 having suffered a mechanical problem.

A major accident marked the proto session. On his BR Engineering-BR1, Pietro fittipaldi shot straight into the Raidillon at high speed. An ambulance responded to the scene to evacuate the Brazilian. This track excursion led to a 30-minute interruption in order to replace the tire lines as well as the BR1. More information to come on our site.

In LM P2, the experienced Nicolas lapierre wears the colors ofAlpine to the top of the hierarchy. The Frenchman is ahead of another tricolor, Andrea Pizzitola (G-Drive Racing) and the Parisian Gabriel Aubry (Jackie Chan DC Racing).

The battle in GTE Pro turned to the advantage of Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK. The two Ford GTs monopolize the first row. Olivier Pl (n°66) set the absolute best time in 2'12''604 before giving way to Stefan Mücke, but it is the sister car ofAndy Priaulx, Harry Tincknell and Tony Kanaan who takes pole in the overall average game (184 thousandths difference).

Only the Porsche 911 RSR of Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz was able to keep up the pace, still six tenths behind. Among the surprises, we note the relegation of Ferrari reigning champions by more than a second and, even worse, both Aston Martin official three seconds behind the Ford GT.

In GTE Am, Christian Ried, Matt Campbell and Julien Andlauer (Porsche 911 RSR of Dempsey-Proton Racing) took pole with a solid lead over the former Aston Martin Vantage of reigning champions Dalla Lana-Lamy-Lauda.

The start of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will take place on Saturday at 13:30 p.m.