The South African HCB Rutronik Racing driver, who has already been crowned champion along with Patric Niederhauser, was the only one to post a time below the 1.18 mark. With a 1.17.857 minutes, he was 0.256 seconds faster than Daniel Keilwitz in second place in the Mercedes-AMG – no other pole-sitter this season has managed to pull out a bigger gap on the next-best driver. As a result, his team are now well placed to retake the championship lead in the fight for the team title. The best-placed car fielded by current leaders and title rivals, Orange1 by GRT Grasser, will only be seventh on the grid. The difference between the two outfits is just two points.

“I strung all three sectors together perfectly,” said van der Linde after his second pole of the season.” I myself was even surprised at my time. I never expected a 1:17.8. This pole is for the team, who worked until 3.00 am this morning to repair the damage from yesterday. After setting my pole time, I tried to do even better, but it wasn’t possible. I’d already had the best out of the tyres. Our focus in the race will obviously be on winning the team championship. Hopefully, we’ll have something to celebrate later.”

Qualifying second, Daniel Keilwitz clinched the best result of the season for himself, his partner Jimmy Eriksson and Zakspeed BKK Mobil Oil Racing. Fellow Audi drivers, Saturday winners, Indy Dontje and Maximilian Götz from Mann-Filter Team HTP were third on the timesheets. Götz missed best time by 0.422 seconds. Pirelli Junior championship leader Max Hofer and Christopher Mies will be fourth on the grid for the 14th race of the season in the Audi from Montaplast by Land-Motorsport while Frank Stippler and Filip Salaquarda will occupy grid slot five in another R8 LMS.