Stefan Mücke and Darren Turner in the No.97 Vantage V8 proved to the strongest and most consistent Pro pairing today, claiming their third consecutive class position with a best average time of 1:30.111 – over three seconds a lap quicker than last year’s pole time at Interlagos.  The new track surface at the Brazilian circuit has provided all competitors with increased grip levels and, under overcast skies but crucially on a dry track, Aston Martin Racing was matchless.  The performance was perhaps helped by the new solar panels installed on the roof of the No.97 which are aimed at using energy from the sun to help power auxiliary systems on the V8. 

Taking the fight to the German-British duo was the No.92 Porsche Team Manthey 911 RSR of Patrick Pilet and Frédéric Makowiecki which lapped in an average of 1:30.259, just 0.053s ahead of the No.99 Aston Martin Vantage of local star Fernando Rees and a highly motivated Darryl O’Young. All of the first three cars were under last year’s pole time.

Fourth overall and leading an Aston Martin Am 1-2 was the No.98 of Pedro Lamy and Christoffer Nygaard who also claimed their third pole of the season.  The average time of the two best laps of each of the two drivers was 1:30.401, only 0.083s ahead of their Danish team mates in the No.95, Nicki Thiim and David Heinemeier Hansson.

Behind the No.91 Porsche 911 RSR and No.71 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia, which out-qualified its World championship-winning No.51 on this occasion, was the third placed LMGTE Am car, the No.61 AF Corse F458 of Alessandro Pier Guidi and Jeff Segal.  The Italian and American are sharing the orange and yellow liveried Ferrari this weekend with Brazilian legend Emerson Fittipaldi, making his return to racing at the grand age of 67.

The session was briefly red-flagged with just under three minutes remaining when the No.75 of Emmanuel Collard was forced to pull off track with a technical issue.

The 6 Hours of Sao Paulo will begin tomorrow at 13h00 local (15h00 GMT) and the race will be preceded by a pit walk (10h30 -11h45) and autograph session (10h45 – 11h15) in the pit lane for the many thousands of fans expected to attend.   

Qualifying facts:

·        15:20:53 1:29.858 fastest individual lap of session for #97 Aston

·        15:16:39 In GTE Am #98 Aston on pole from #95 Aston and #81 Ferrari

·        15:15:34 In GTE Pro #97 Aston on pole from #92 Porsche and #99 Aston

·        15:14:10 Chequered Flag

·        15:13:18 Ferrari #51 yet to set 4 lap average

·        15:11:18 Green Flag again

·        15:09:40 Porsche #75 pushed behind barriers

·        15:08:38 Red Flag

·        15:08:00 Prospeed Porsche #75 stopped on circuit

·        15:05:34 1:30.111 average for #97 Aston

·        15:04:17 1:30.206 average fastest now for #97 Aston

·        15:03:32 1:30.259 average for #92 Porsche

·        15:03:01 1:30.290 average now for #92 Porsche

·        15:00:55 1:30.373 average fastest now for #92 Porsche

·        15:00:10 1:30.493 average now for #95 Aston

·        14:59:13 1:30.530 first 4 lap average for #95 Aston

·        14:56:41 1:29.872 fastest 2 lap average for #97 Aston

·        14:55:34 All 13 GTE cars out on the circuit

·        14:54:52 1:29.993 2 lap average for #99 Aston

·        14:53:01 1:30.003 2 lap average for #99 Aston

·        14:50:51 1:30.124 2 lap average for Aston #95

·        14:49:30 1:30.119 for Aston #95

·        14:46:49 Aston #95 first out

·        14:46:13 Green Flag