Team WRT has been stripped of pole position for this afternoon’s GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring after its No. 32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO received a five-place grid penalty.
Charles Weerts was judged at fault for contact with Jules Gounon in the No. 17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo during the second qualifying segment on Saturday morning. The incident sent Gounon spinning into the barriers and caused significant damage to the Mercedes.
Although Weerts and Team WRT went on to secure provisional pole for the penultimate Endurance Cup round of the season at the Nürburgring, race stewards later handed down a penalty that dropped the car off the front row.
ROWE BMW No. 98 inherits pole
The decision promotes the No. 98 ROWE Racing BMW to pole position, with the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 moving up alongside on the front row. WRT’s No. 32 entry will instead start from sixth.
As for the No. 17 Mercedes-AMG involved in the collision, its participation remains in doubt after the heavy impact with the barriers left the car facing extensive repairs. If it does take the start, it will line up from the back of the grid.
Further penalties in Qualifying
The stewards were also called into action for other incidents in qualifying. AF Corse’s No. 50 Ferrari 296 GT3 received a five-place drop following contact with the No. 25 Saintéloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. However, with the Ferrari failing to set a time in the final segment, it was already due to begin from the rear of the grid.
A further penalty was applied to the No. 59 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. Joseph Loake was deemed responsible for contact with Conrad Laursen’s No. 74 Kessel Racing Ferrari in the opening part of qualifying,j resulting in another five-place demotion.
