Dillmann Tops Very Tight Silverstone Qualifying

Photo: Eric Le Galliot/MPS Agency

Inter Europol Competition driver Tom Dillmann has taken pole after an incredibly close qualifying session for the 4 Hours of Silverstone European Le Mans Series contest in which the top-four were separated by fewer than two tenths of a second.

Dillmann continued his form from practice earlier in the morning by setting the pace aboard the No. 43 Oreca O7 Gibson with a 1:43.279 that was just a tenth faster than Adrien Closmenil managed in the No. 37 CLX Motorsport machine.

Third fastest was joint points leader Oliver Gray on his first qualifying outing of the year in the No. 29 Forestier Racing by Panis car, while the very tight lead quartet was completed by the second Inter Europol entry of Reshad De Gerus.

However, both Inter Europol drivers face post-race investigations that could lead to changes to the order.

Rounding out the top-five was then the No. 18 IDEC Sport machine of Laurents Hoerr, while Ben Hanley could only manage tenth for the No. 22 United Autosports entry that also jointly heads the standings.

The No. 14 TDS Racing Oreca of Steven Thomas set the pace among the Pro-Am division as he finished up a quarter of a second faster than the No. 47 CLX Motorsport machine of Georgios Kolovos as three-time class polesitter Giorgio Roda in the No. 30 Duqueine Team entry had to settle for third.

CLX Ligier, Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG Score Class Poles

Louis Iglesias in the No. 17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 Toyota scored a second LMP3 pole of the year after a close battle with Hugo Schwarze’s No. 85 R-ace GP Duqueine D09 Toyota.

The pair traded fastest times for almost the entire 15 minutes but in the end it was Iglesias who went quickest with a 1:53.144 to put the car in which Alexander Jacoby and Paul Lanchere lead the championship just 0.069 seconds faster than Schwarze.

Matteo Quintarelli in the No. 8 Team Virage Ligier had threatened to spoil Iglesias’ and Schwarze’s party but had to settle for third with a 1:53.646.

Abdulla Al-Khelaifi scored a third LMGT3 pole of the season after setting the pace in the No. 62 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

Al-Khelaifi posted a 2:00.011 to finish up a quarter of a second ahead of the No. 33 TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Blake McDonald that arrived at Silverstone just one point off the championship lead.

Third fastest was the No. 59 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo of Francois Heriau, who is more regularly found at the wheel of Ferrari machinery.

However, he was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding and therefore Duncan Cameron in the No. 55 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo and the No. 57 Kessel Racing Ferrari of Takeshi Kimura were promoted to third and fourth.

The points-leading No. 75 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo of Matt Kurzejewski could only manage seventh.

Attention now turns to the 4 Hours of Silverstone race itself, which is due to get under way at 12 p.m. BST (7 a.m. EST) on Sunday.

RESULTS: Qualifying

Source: Sports Car 365