Edoardo Mortara becomes first GT driver ever to lap in 2min16seconds.

Macau’s most successful driver Edoardo Mortara has led an Audi lockout of the front row for tomorrow’s qualifying race for the FIA GT World Cup with the fastest GT time ever set at the circuit.

Mortara narrowly missed disaster when he bounced off the wall on his flying lap to record a time of 2min16.862seconds ahead of his team mate Laurens Vanthoor, 2min17.016.

“I knew I was on a good lap so I just kept my foot flat," Mortara said.

Former Le Mans 24 hour winner Earl Bamber(Manthey Porsche 991) was third on 2min 17.133 and will start on the second row alongside defending FIA World GT Cup champion Maro Engel (Mercedes-Benz AMG GT),2min17.147seconds.

In a qualifying session interrupted by two red flag periods, seven drivers undercut the circuit’s GT lap record of 2min 18.93secs.

Ferrari driver Pasin Lathouras and Irish privateer Richard Lyons (Porsche 991) both crashed in separate incidents, Lyons for the second time in today’s practice and qualifying sessions, causing red flags as their cars were removed.

Engel, who stunned the field in early practice with a fastest ever lap for the circuit, struggled with rear alignment.

At the final restart he slammed to a momentary fastest position with a 2min 17.147secs but on the same lap he was swamped by the two Audi’s and Bamber’s Porsche.

Mortara had fitted a new set of tyres for the final sprint determined to create a front row lockout for Audi for tomorrow’s 12 lap qualification race.

Results from the qualification race will determine starting positions in Sunday’s 18 lap FIA GT World Cup.

Full classification