A sudden downpour in the middle of Texas during the qualifying session disrupted the established order. This unexpected turn of events paved the way for an evening that was dominated by Robert Kubica, Ferrari and Ford.
Kubica Leads a Ferrari Front Row Statement
When the weather turned against Cadillac and Toyota, whose brave early switches to wets unravelled almost instantly, AF Corse seized its chance. In the hands of Robert Kubica, the customer-run Ferrari 499P delivered not only the outright pole in Austin. He took a landmark moment: the first Hypercar pole for a privateer this season.
Kubica’s sharpness in greasy conditions was once again decisive. His late flyer pipping the factory Ferrari of Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi. The works trio had looked poised for the front until a small but costly error from Giovinazzi curtailed their challenge. The result left Ferrari celebrating a one-two on the grid – but with a privateer leading the charge.
Behind them, Kévin Estre hauled the Porsche Penske entry to third, aided by Peugeot’s misfortune as the #93 car lost all its lap times to a post-session steward’s ruling. Nicklas Nielsen put the second red factory 499P into fourth, keeping Maranello’s muscle firmly at the sharp end.
The privateer contingent had their say too. Nicolas Varrone struck a mighty blow for Proton Competition, guiding the #99 Porsche to an eye-catching fifth. Alpine and Toyota filled the next slots, while BMW and the brand-new Aston Martin Valkyrie both broke into the Hyperpole ten, a first for each in WEC competition.
LMGT3: Ford Mustang Glory on Home Soil
If Ferrari’s privateer triumph defined Hypercar, then Ford provided the headline in LMGT3. In front of the Texan crowd, the pair of Proton Competition Mustangs locked out the front row. Giammarco Levorato, granted a late reprieve into Hyperpole after the exclusion of the #87 Lexus, made full use of the opportunity. In a thrilling intra-team duel, he edged Ben Tuck in the sister #77 with a nerveless final run.
That secured Ford a poetic moment – home-turf pole on American soil and Their first double front row in the WEC. A perfect storyline for the fans draped in blue ovals around Austin. McLaren’s ever-improving #95 will line up third, with BMW’s #46 and the #33 Corvette in close attendance.
What Lies Ahead on Sunday
With a privateer Ferrari leading the works brigade, Porsche showing its teeth and underdogs like Proton and Alpine snapping at the heels, the six-hour battle promises unrelenting intensity. Throw in the mercurial COTA weather, where a dry line can vanish in the span of a sector, and strategy will be no less decisive than outright pace.
From Sunday’s 13:00 local start (20:00 CET), the Lone Star Le Mans is shaping to be a pivotal chapter in the title fight. On this evidence, no one can afford to play safe.
Images © Alessandro Sala