The Porsche GT Team has continued its impressive series of pole positions in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC. Works driver Gianmaria Bruni took first place in the #91 Porsche 911 RSR in the time hunt at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The Italian, who shares the car with the Austrian Richard Lietz, was the fastest GT driver on the 7.004-kilometre circuit with a time of 2:14.481 minutes. The number 92 sister car of Kévin Estre (France) and Michael Christensen (Denmark), which won the season opener at Sebring, will start from second place. The 378 kW (515 hp) nine-eleven from Weissach has been unbeaten in qualifying in the GTE-Pro class for two years.

"First and second place - that's all you can do," says Alexander Stehlig, Head of Factory Motorsport FIA WEC. “I'm happy for the guys in the number 91 car that they made it to pole position. It was an exciting qualifying, as lap times were repeatedly canceled due to crossing the track boundaries. Our number 91 got it on the second lap, so Gianmaria added a third flying lap. This then brought it. Both cars on the front row: It will definitely be an exciting race tomorrow!”

With sunny conditions and spring-like temperatures of 19 degrees Celsius, optimal conditions prevailed in the Belgian Ardennes. At the start of the 10-minute qualifying, the two 911 RSR waited in the pits. The aim was to then be able to complete a free lap without obstructing traffic. This calculation worked out for Michael Christensen in the number 92 car. The Dane heaved his Porsche to the front right away. Brand colleague Bruni initially ran over the white lines at the edge of the track. As his fastest lap was canceled, the Italian had to throw everything back into the balance. At the very last second, Bruni pushed the sister car out of first place.

In the GTE-Am category, American gentleman driver Brendan Iribe put in a strong showing. The successful businessman, who is driving the 911 RSR on the so-called “Ardennes roller coaster” for the first time, placed the number 56 Project 1 car in third place in the class. The sister car of the customer team from Lohne in Lower Saxony starts from fifth place. The two 911s driven by Dempsey-Proton Racing finished sixth and ninth, with the identical GR Racing car starting in twelfth place.

Round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC starts on Sunday, May 7th at 1:00 p.m. The free TV broadcaster RTL NITRO is broadcasting live from Spa-Francorchamps. The 6-hour race is the dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The highlight of the year will be on 11./12. June held at the legendary 13.6-kilometre street circuit in western France.

Driver quotes after qualifying
Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 911 RSR #91):“The vehicle balance was very good. I got a free lap and everything was fine. I love the track in Spa and always have a lot of fun driving here – especially when everything really goes well all around. Today we scored an important point, but tomorrow the game starts all over again. Anything can happen in a race. There is a certain chance of rain. Depending on whether and how heavy the precipitation comes, it will certainly be an exciting six-hour competition.”

Michael Christensen (Porsche 911 RSR #92):“An eventful session! When I was on my way back to the pits, I was still in the lead. I was held up a bit by the traffic, but the lap time was still good – but not good enough. The track obviously built up more and more grip. So Gimmi was able to pass me. We start with both 911 RSR from the front row. There can hardly be better conditions before the start of the race.”

Results qualifying
GTE-Pro class
1. Bruni/Lietz (I/A), Porsche 911 RSR #91, 2:14.301 minutes
2. Christensen/Estre (DK/F ), Porsche 911 RSR #92, 2:14.481 minutes
3rd Tandy/Milner (GB/USA), Corvette C8.R #64, 2:14.606 minutes
4th Calado/Pier Guidi (GB/I), Ferrari 488 GTE # 51, 2:15.102 minutes
5. Fuoco/Molina (I/E), Ferrari 488 GTE #52, 2:15.443 minutes

GTE-Am class
1. Keating/Chaves/Sörensen (USA/P/DK), Aston Martin #33, 2:17.408 minutes
2. Dalla Lana/Pittard/Thiim (USA/GB/DK), Aston Martin #98, 2:18.912 minutes
3. Iribe/Barnicoat/Millroy (USA/GB/GB), Porsche 911 RSR #56, 2:19.700 minutes
5. Leutwiler/Cairoli/Pedersen (CH/I/DK), Porsche 911 RSR #46, 2:20.937 minutes
6. Ried/Priaulx/Tincknell (D/GB/GB), Porsche 911 RSR #77, 2:21.027 minutes
9 Poordad/Heylen/Lindsey (USA/B/USA), Porsche 911 RSR #88, 2:22.622 minutes
12 Wainwright/Barker/Pera (GB/GB/I), Porsche 911 RSR #86, 2:24.384 minutes