SPS Automotive Performance topped the times during the Fanatec GT2 European Series’ first ever free practice session at the Red Bull Ring on Friday morning, while Ebi Motors led the Am-class charge in the Porsche GT2 RS CS.
The #55 Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series car driven by Stéphane Ratel and Bernd Schneider recorded a best lap of 1:29.933 round the 4.318km circuit to head the timesheets as an Invitational entry.
Aurelijus Rusteika and Michael Vergers led the way for the Fanatec GT2 European Series Pro-Am championship contenders with a time of 1:31.147 in the High Class Racing Audi, 0.010s ahead of Nicolas Saelens and Stienes Longin in the PK Carsport Audi.
True Racing by Reiter Engineering got the team’s home round off to a promising start during an incredibly close session where less than one second covered the top 12 cars – Filip Sladecka and Stefan Rosina heading the four-strong KTM X-BOW contingent by just 0.189s from the #14 sister car and series newcomers Horst Felbermayr Jr and Reinhard Kofler.
Class championship leader, Gianluca Giorgi topped the Am category times for the Ebi Motors Porsche by 0.271s from Henry Hassid in the LP Racing Audi, with Elia Erhart and Michael Doppelmayr clocking in third in class.
The Fanatec GT2 European Series’ debut race weekend in Austria continues with a further 60-minute free practice session at 17:10 CEST. Qualifying is scheduled for 10.45 on Saturday, ahead of the first race of the weekend at 17:00.