The Marc VDS Racing Team’s BMW Z4 GT3 will start the final race of the Blancpain Endurance Series from third position on the grid, following an impressive qualifying performance from all three drivers at Silverstone this afternoon.
After a wet free practice session yesterday, the weather at Silverstone kept everyone guessing once again during today’s pre-qualifying and qualifying sessions. The first 15-minute qualifying session started in dry condition but, with black clouds on the horizon, Bas Leinders was taking no chances. The Marc VDS driver pushed from the start with a full fuel load, setting his fastest time on his fourth lap and eventually ending the session third fastest overall.
Markus Palttala kept the #40 BMW Z4 GT3 in the top five during his 15-minute qualifying stint, but was disappointed not to finish further up the order after being forced to back off early in the session due to yellow flags and then running into traffic on his fastest lap.
Maxime Martin took over for the final 15-minute session, immediately jumping up the order to second place. Halfway through the session, while pushing hard to close the gap to pole position, the 25-year-old Belgian overshot the fast right-hander at Abbey, flatspotted the tyres and finished out the session in the pits.
Despite missing the final five minutes of the session Martin’s first flying lap was quick enough to secure the Marc VDS Racing Team third position on the grid for tomorrow’s three-hour race, which will bring to a conclusion the 2011 Blancpain Endurance Series.
Bas Leinders: Q1 – 2’02.638
“I was happy enough with my run. We were a little concerned we’d have rain at some point so I pushed to set a time early in the session, just in case. I was pretty pleased to finish P3, although the front wing we added prior to the session meant the car was oversteering quite a lot. We made some changes to the car for Markus and Max’s qualifying runs, which improved things significantly. We will see what tomorrow brings in terms of the weather, but I’m confident we have a set up for the car that will allow us to push for the win whatever the conditions.”
Markus Palttala: Q2 – 2’02.933
“Having only managed a handful of laps yesterday and this morning, qualifying for me was all about getting up to speed ahead of the race. We made a few changes to the car ahead of my stint and then a few more afterwards, but there’s definitely more to come before we line up on the grid tomorrow. Overall I was happy enough with my qualifying performance, although I couldn’t push when the tyres were at their best because of the yellow flags early in the session. We were aiming for top five on the grid, and we’ve achieved that, so we’re in a good position for tomorrow. There’s still an outside chance for me to win the title, but all we can do is push for the win and see where we are championship wise at the chequered flag.”
Maxime Martin: Q3 – 2’01.214
“It’s always good to start from the first two rows, so I’m happy with that. On my first flying lap I had to pass one of the Lamborghinis, so I knew it was possible to go quicker. Unfortunately, on the very next lap, I pushed a little bit too hard and ran off at Abbey. This is the first time we’ve run the BMW here at Silverstone, but we have been competitive from the start of the weekend, in both the wet and the dry. We also have good race pace, so I’m confident that we’ll be able to fight at the front tomorrow regardless of the weather conditions, which have proved so changeable already this weekend.”
Source : Marc VDS Racing Team