Photo: Auto GP
Euronova Racing’s Kimiya Sato cruised to his maiden pole in the Auto GP series, topping both qualifying sessions at Spielberg.
After posting the quickest lap in the largely ceremonial Q1, Sato stormed to the top of the timesheets in the second session, recording two laps good enough for pole.
Tamas Pal Kiss secured a front row spot three tenths down, while practice pacesetter Shinya Michimi led FMS Racing’s Kevin Giovesi in third.
Michela Cerruti qualified sixth ahead of compatriot Giuseppe Cipriani. Christof von Grunigen secured eighth for Zele, with Michele La Rosa taking ninth.
Markus Pommer was second in Q1 but failed to get a lap in in Q2 due to a technical problem and will have to start the race in tenth.
Meanwhile, Salvatore Deplano was the only driver to be eliminated in Q1, having spun out in the closing minutes of the session.
Qualifying results
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 |
| 1 | Kimiya Sato | Euronova Racing | 1:20.920 | 1:20.363 |
| 2 | Tamas Pal Kiss | Virtuosi UK | 1:21.316 | 1:20.641 |
| 3 | Shinya Michimi | Euronova Racing | 1:21.377 | 1:20.852 |
| 4 | Kevin Giovesi | FMS Racing | 1:21.613 | 1:20.865 |
| 5 | Andrea Roda | Virtuosi UK | 1:21.741 | 1:20.910 |
| 6 | Michela Cerruti | Super Nova International | 1:21.879 | 1:21.513 |
| 7 | Giuseppe Cipriani | Ibiza Racing Team | 1:23.133 | 1:22.105 |
| 8 | Christof von Grunigen | Zele Racing | 1:21.678 | 1:22.408 |
| 9 | Michele La Rosa | MLR 71 by Euronova | 1:23.503 | 1:22.774 |
| 10 | Markus Pommer | Super Nova International | 1:21.205 | No Time |
| 11 | Salvatore Deplano | FMS Racing | 1:25.210 |