GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup: Valencia Qualifying Report
VALENCIA, Spain – Dennis Marschall secured pole position for Kessel Racing ahead of Race 1 of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup finale at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Marschall’s #74 Ferrari 296 GT3, competing in the Bronze Cup, set a stunning time of 1:30.883, outpacing Alessio Rovera’s provisional pole by 0.187 seconds.
The German driver initially clocked a 1:31.081 on his first flying lap before improving on his second. “The car was very good the whole week,” Marschall affirmed. “Big shout out to the Kessel Racing team; they gave me a brilliant car!”
Marschall will share the front row with Bastian Buus in the #89 Lionspeed GP Porsche 911 GT3 R, who qualified second at a time of 1:31.146. Eddie Cheever’s #93 Ziggo Sport Tempesta Ferrari rounded out the top three. Notably, Rovera in the #51 AF Corse Ferrari will start from fourth but will be penalized five places for a pit exit infraction during Pre-Qualifying.
Thomas Fleming claimed Gold Cup pole in his #58 Garage 59 McLaren GT3 Evo with a time of 1:31.387, positioning him favorably for the race due to a more favorable minimum pit stop time than the leaders.
In the overall standings, Lucas Auer’s #48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo led the title contenders by qualifying sixth. The GRT – Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, driven by Luca Engstler, followed in seventh, while Jake Dennis qualified eighth in the #991 Paradine Competition BMW M4 GT3 Evo.
Kobe Pauwels took Silver Cup pole with a time of 1:31.726, putting the #21 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin in 14th overall. Closely trailing were the #99 Tresor Attempto Audi and #10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG, just 0.082 seconds apart.
Three overall title contenders faced challenges during qualifying; Benjamin Goethe finished 15th, Patric Niederhauser 20th, and championship leader Charles Weerts qualified 25th after losing his early laps to track limits.
The penultimate race of the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup is scheduled for 14:15 CEST today.
Key Qualifying Results
- Dennis Marschall (Kessel Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3) – 1:30.883
- Bastian Buus (Lionspeed GP, Porsche 911 GT3 R) – 1:31.146
- Eddie Cheever (Ziggo Sport Tempesta, Ferrari) – 1:31.201
Notes
- Rovera penalized five positions.
- Auer and Engstler among title contenders starting from outside the top 5.
This race promises intense competition as teams strive for strategic advantages to secure their standings in the championship.
