GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup returned to action at Misano on Friday with two uninterrupted practice sessions, beginning in the afternoon heat and ending after sunset. Fabian Schiller led the opening session before Christopher Haase set the fastest time of the day in Free Practice 2.
Schiller leads hot opening session
Schiller took the #12 GetSpeed Team Dubai Mercedes-AMG GT3 to the top of Free Practice 1 with a 1m32.868sec lap. The German finished 0.317 seconds ahead of Charles Weerts in the #32 Team WRT BMW GT3, with Andrea Frassineti third and fastest in the Silver Cup aboard the #66 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi.
Marvin Dienst placed the #87 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 fourth, followed by teammate Lucas Auer in the #48 car. The field was closely matched, with the top 25 covered by less than one second.
Haase fastest after sunset
Christopher Haase moved Eastalent Racing to the top during the evening session. His 1m32.347sec lap in the #84 Audi R8 LMS GT3 stood as Friday’s quickest time.
Aurélien Panis finished second in the #6 GetSpeed Team Bartone Bros Mercedes-AMG GT3 and led the Silver Cup. Jules Gounon was third in the #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry, replacing the unwell Chris Lulham alongside Dani Juncadella. Augusto Farfus was the fastest Bronze Cup driver in fourth, with Tommaso Mosca leading the Gold Cup in seventh.
Racing begins on Saturday
Qualifying 1 starts at 13:05 local time (CEST) on Saturday, followed by the opening one-hour race under the Misano floodlights at 20:30.
The second qualifying session begins at 10:05 on Sunday, with Race 2 bringing the weekend to a close at 14:30.
Photos by Michal Pospisil
GTWCE MISANO | LATEST NEWS | ENTRY LIST | LIVESTREAM | PREVIEW | FRIDAY REPORT
