Qualifying quotes

Quotes

LAST MINUTE : The stewards have received a report from the Technical Delegate that a post qualifying checking cars 38 (Vannelet-Moser / Kessel Racing), 19 (Ruffier-Peyroles / Riverside) and 15 (Deletraz-La Marca / S-Berg Racing) were found to have a rear wing which did not comply with the homologation from the vehicle.
The Stewards placed those three cars at the back of the gird of race 1.

Qualifying 1:
Luca PIRRI – nr 18 Martini Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3, 1st : “There were yellow flags, so I did not feel like pushing, and the team asked me to slow down in order not to get my time cancelled, and also to save the tyres. I know we could have gone faster, but I’m happy to be on pole position for the second time this season. In the last three events I was always on the first row. First in Monza, second in Brno and first here in Dubai. For the race it is good to start from the pole position. We have to get a good result to put pressure on the Ferrari.”

Gilles VANNELET – nr 38  Kessel Racing Ferrari 430 (before Stewards decisions) : “I was the fastest, but the Stewards decided to cancel my best time. I’m disappointed, because it was important for us to be on pole position. Now starting from 5th, it is much more difficult. The car was perfect.”

Arnaud PEYROLES – nr 19  Riverside Corvette (before Stewards decisions) : “I’m quite happy with my time, even if my goal was to be in the top 5. Anyway, we are in good position to do a good result, as James seems to be fast, and we are happy with the car. This track is just unbelievable, maybe the best track I ever seen. Each lap is different, it is just great. With such a track I tell you, both races are going to be great, and we will do our best to create a surprise!”

Qualifying 2:

Frederic MAKOWIECKI – nr 26 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9, 1st : “I have the advantage of knowing this track, and last year I claimed the pole position here in the FIA GT Championship. It is good for the team as yesterday we had a gearbox problem, and the team did a fantastic job to change it during the night. This season was quite hard for us, at some tracks, our car was not efficient. Here the Aston Martin is working well, so we want to finish with a good result. The team deserve it.”

James RUFFIER – nr 19 Riverside Corvette Z06R GT3, 2nd : “It is a good result. When the tyres were new, I was quite surprised by the grip, and I did not manage to go as fast as I would have liked. Then I had a better feeling but I do not think I was able to go as fast as Fred Makowiecki this morning. We will see the races, we have nothing to lose. We are on the pace.”

Jürgen von GARTZEN – nr 18 Martini Callaway Racing Corvette Z06R GT3, 3rd : “It was very hard… In the last five minutes I was behind slowest cars, he did not want to let me pass, and I spun. Third is OK, but it is a warning, we have to be careful during the race.”

Henri MOSER – nr 38 Kessel Racing Ferrari 430, 5th : “I had a problem with my exhaust system, so the car was not working perfectly. 5th position is not so bad, it is a good position to have a clear race, and let the others take the risks. We will know more after the first race, and we will see what our strategy in Saturday ‘s race will be.”

Rory BERTRAM – nr 31 Team Berlanga Ascari KZ1R, 6th : “It was quite a good qualifying session. I drove this car in Bucarest, so it is the first time I’ve driven it  on a real circuit! The car is very good, and it is going great so far. We are optimistic for the race, we are two good team mates. We just have to practice our driver change, and it is going to be interesting for us, our goal is the podium for this week end.”

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