Muller, driving a Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, was the last driver in Qualifying Q3 to chase the coveted number one spot, which is presented by DHL, and he didn’t disappoint with a blistering charge over the 5.922-kilometre lap. The Frenchman’s performance means he draws level Citroën team-mate López on pole positions won in 2015 and narrows the Argentine’s title advantage to 34 points.

Sébastien Loeb’s third place marked a return to form for the nine-time world rally champion, who won at the Slovakia Ring last season and is in with a shot of emulating that achievement on Sunday. Meanwhile, LADA continued its strong run of late with Rob Huff and Nicky Catsburg both making it into Qualifying Q3. And in a further boost for the Russian squad, Jaap van Lagen’s capture of 10th place means the Dutchman will start the reverse-grid race two from first place alongside works Honda driver Gabriele Tarquini.

“It was a good lap and I was very pleased of course,” said Muller, the four-time WTCC champion. I wasn’t very pleased with the balance of the car in Q1. But we progressed quite a lot in Q2 and did another step in Q3 when the car was just perfect. I could put my wheels where I wanted and I don’t think I could have been faster except for Turn 11 where I lifted off a little bit.”

Of his prospects of a fourth victory of 2015, Muller said: “It’s a tough circuit especially with the weight penalty we have and the LADAs will be fast as we could see in Moscow. It will be tough to keep them behind all race but the target is to make a good start and keep pole position into turn one and then push as much as I can.” 

Hugo Valente just missed out on Q3 in his Campos Chevrolet and will start sixth with Ma Qing Hua seventh, Tom Chilton eighth for ROAL, Tarquini ninth and van Lagen 10th. Home hero Mato Homola impressed on his WTCC debut by progressing into Q2. He will start race one in 11th with Mehdi Bennani 12th. Norbert Michelisz was one of several leading contenders unable to make it out of Q1. He starts race one in 13th with John Filippi, Tom Coronel, Stefano D’Aste and Tiago Monteiro next up. Argentine Súper TC2000 champion Néstor Girolami was 18th quickest on his first appearance in the WTCC. After crashing in Free Practice 2, Grégoire Demoustier’s Craft-Bamboo Chevrolet was too badly damaged for the Frenchman to take part in qualifying.

Qualifying points: Yvan Muller: 5pts; José María López: 4; Sébastien Loeb 3; Rob Huff 2; Nicky Catsburg 1.