Augusto Farfus and Mattias Ekström on pole for SuperFinal

Hyundai Motorsport’s Augusto Farfus and Cupra’s Mattias Ekström won the PURE ETCR time trial sessions, which hand them pole position for Pool A and Pool B respectively.

In Pool A, Mikel Azcona was first out on track, but a deflated left rear tyre led to a spin and the Spaniard stopped. With one of the potential protagonists out of the picture, it was Augusto Farfus who led the way, a full four tenths quicker than team-mate Tom Chilton, giving Hyundai a 1-2. Behind the Veloster N ETCRs Jordi Gené will start the DHL SuperFinal from third, narrowly missing out on beating the Brit.

A good showing by Rodrigo Baptista earned him fourth ahead of team-mate Stefano Coletti, but the Monegasque was subsequently stripped off his lap time after running too wide at Cimini (turns 4-5). The Romeo Ferraris driver had also had a huge moment at the high-speed Curvone, from which he recovered brilliantly.

In Pool B Ekström was supposed to go out first, but only did an out lap before returning to the pits. As a result Hyundai’s Jean-Karl Vernay was the first to set a lap time, and he stayed on top of the timing sheets, ahead of Romeo Ferraris driver Luca Filippi and Hyundai’s John Filippi.

Oliver Webb had looked to be a realistic challenger to win the round, but a huge lock-up at Semaforo cost him several tenths. Daniel Nagy was slowest in his Cupra. After Luca Filippi did his lap, Ekström was allowed back out and set the timing screens alight as he posted the fastest time in each sector.

No points are awarded for Round 3, but they do form the grid for the DHL SuperFinal which will start at 13:10 CEST.