Nestor Girolami will start Sunday’s season-opening WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup race from pole position following a frenetic qualifying session at Circuit Zolder.
The ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver – who was fastest in Friday’s opening practice session at the Belgian circuit, a late addition to the 2020 calendar – ended Q2 10th in his Honda Civic Type R TCR, putting him at the head of the field for the partially-reversed grid race one.
‘Bebu’ edged team-mate and Argentinian compatriot Esteban Guerrieri for the final place in the top 10 in Q2, with last year’s WTCR runner-up due to start both Sunday races from 11th as a result.
Esteban lost time at the start of his final Q2 effort when the car directly in front of him kicked up dust at the first corner and, despite clawing back that time loss over the remainder of his lap, he was not able to improve his position.
ALL-INKL.DE Münnich Motorsport driver Attila Tassi was fastest of all the JAS Motorsport-built Honda Civic Type R TCRs, and within half a tenth of a place in the Q3 pole position shootout with his best effort in Q2.
In the end Attila ended up seventh; his best qualifying since he claimed pole position in Vila Real last year, a result that will also put him within striking range of the podium positions from fourth on the grid for race one.
Tiago Monteiro will start both races from 18th, though that position bears no representation of his real pace.
After his first Q1 attempt was ruined when gravel was dragged onto the track, Tiago looked set to improve into the top 12 positions required to make it through to Q2 – only for a full-course yellow to nullify not one but two laps.
There was one final frustration to come as, having set a personal best first sector on his final effort, he came across a slower car at the end of his lap, which prevented him from improving his time.