AKKA ASP’s Kenny Habul (#751 Mercedes-AMG GT3) mastered the wet weather conditions to score pole position on his Blancpain GT Sports Club debut, with championship-leader Karim Ojjeh (#2 Boutsen Ginion BMW M6 GT3) set to start alongside the Australian in today's Qualifying Race at the Hungaroring.
In the Iron Cup, Klaus Dieter Frers (#3 Artega Rennsport Ferrari 488 GT3) kept his cool to go fastest, with Louis-Philippe Soenen (#50 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) showing strong pace late on to go second in class.
The heavens opened shortly before qualifying got underway, with track conditions proving tricky as the bronze-grade drivers headed out on their first flying laps. Unfazed by the weather, Kenny Habul flew to the top of the time sheets, more than seven seconds ahead of Klaus Dieter Frers.
With conditions worsening the red flag emerged, but resumed shortly after all drivers had safely returned to the pits. However, with the wet weather continuing to catch a few drivers out, namely Karim Ojjeh who ran wide at Turn 10, qualifying was once again suspended.
After a lengthy stoppage, the session got back underway and the rain eased off, seeing lap times tumble. Edward Lewis Brauner (#991 Herberth Motorsport Porsche 991 GT3 R) emerged as a surprise contender for a front row start, but in the final few laps Karim Ojjeh displaced the German to go second.
Patrick Van Glabeke (#488 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) and Mario Cordoni (#70 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) also moved ahead of the Porsche driver late in the session to go third and fourth respectively, with the latter looking to keep his title hopes alive this weekend.
Sixth was Coach McKansy (#17 HP Racing International Lamborghini Huracan GT3), who had limited running in FP2, with Angélique Detavernier (#55 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) only seventh after a promising showing in final practice.
All Iron Cup drivers ended qualifying line astern, led by Klaus Dieter Frers, who collected his seventh consecutive class pole position. Louis-Philippe Soenen put his Ferrari into second place, ahead of Stephen Earle (#111 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) and Roberto Rayneri (#60 GDL Racing Mercedes SLS AMG GT3).
Herberth Motorsport’s Jürgen Häring (#66 Porsche 991 GT3 R) did not complete any laps in qualifying following his crash earlier in FP2.
Next up will be the all-important Qualifying Race, which has been delayed by 10 minutes to 17:30 (local time). You can follow all the action live on YouTube, Facebook and our website.