+ Result: Pre-Qualifying, Zandvoort
Benjamin Lariche took chunks out of the GT4 Europe Zandvoort lap record, putting the #3 Team Speedcar Audi R8 LMS he shares with Robert Consani top of the times in Pre-Qualifying.
Cooler track temperatures in the afternoon led to a slower start to the session, but Lariche ably demonstrated the progress of the GT4 class but going over half a second quicker than the current series lap record to set the pace.
Once again a host of different drivers rotated the fastest time across the opening quarter of the session as the track gradually warmed up and the cars found additional grip. Stefano D’Aste caught the eye in the PB Racing Lotus Emira before Consani bettered him, and then Viny Beltramelli (JSB Competition Porsche), Marco Signoretti (Academy Ford Mustang), Berkay Besler (Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport BMW) and Frederic Caprasse (AV Racing Porsche) took turns out front. Ricardo van der Ende then snatched the fastest time right before the session was halted to clear up an oil spill running from Turn 13 to Turn 1.
When running resumed, Lariche found clear track, got his temperatures right and set a lap that nobody would get within 0.3s of by the finish. Hendrik Still was second, and top in Pro-Am alongside Joachim Bölting in the #32 W&S Motorsport Porsche. Signoretti and Erik Evans were third ahead of Lluc Ibañez/Alex Papadopulos in the #15 NM Racing Team Mercedes-AMG. Hadrien David and Jan Duran completed the top six in their Matmut Évolution Toyota.
Max Kronberg and Daniel Blickle stayed on top of the Am order thanks to two great laps from Kronberg that at one point had the #30 Porsche inside the top four overall. Jean-Mathieu Leandri and Antoni de Barn were close behind in their Chazel Technologie Course BMW, with Hans Holmlund third for Toyota Gazoo Racing Sweden.
Qualifying will take place at 11:05 on Saturday morning.