Second qualifying at the famous circuit in Germany was a really thrilling affair. For most of the session, Mercedes-AMG appeared to be heading for their second pole position of the race weekend as Raffaele Marciello (Knaus-Team HTP-Winward) took the lead initially with a time of 1.18.899 minutes. Maro Engel (Toksport WRT), also in a Mercedes AMG, then moved into the top spot with a 1.18.488 towards the middle of Q2. During the final stages, many drivers were out on track, hunting for best time when the red flags came out to enable recovery of Sebastian Asch's Porsche, which prompted a frantic, five-minute shoot-out for pole position. Marschall timed his hot lap perfectly, clinching top position on the grid for himself and partner, Carrie Schreiner with a 1.18.293 minutes. He also claimed the Pirelli Pole Position Award for the second time this season, and the Rutronik Racing driver was presented with an exclusive pair of Pirelli skis for his efforts.

"That pole position was most unexpected," said Marschall. "We didn't get off to a good start on Friday, but our package has consistently improved over the course of the weekend. "Securing pole position in the face of competition from all the works drivers is just mega. I would have been happy with a place in the Top Ten, but P1 - and with a lead of almost 0.2 seconds - wow, it just made me feel really emotional. The tarmac here at the Sachsenring is very special in that the tyres are only at their best over a single lap. I was worried that my tyres would peak before the red flag, but they were perfect on my best lap. I strung everything together really well and made no mistakes. I'm so happy. Our goal in the race is to win through at the start and pull out a small lead. But then of course, the guys behind me are really good at what they do, so it won't be easy."

The champion leaders who are equal on points and lead the standings finished behind Marschall. Engel and Luca Stolz will start the race from second place. Sharing the second Rutronik Audi with Patric Niederhauser, Kelvin van der Linde posted a 1.18.561 just before the end and will be in P3 on the grid.

Fourth place went to Lamborghini works drivers Franck Perera and Albert Costa Balboa in the best-placed Huracán GT3 Evo from GRT Grasser Racing while Max Hofer and Christopher Haase secured P5 in the Audi R8 LMS belonging to Montaplast by Land Motorsport.