Qualifying: Aiello in command

The start of the session was delayed due to a massive accident in the previous Euro GT practice that required the injured driver, Chaouki Chikani, to be flown directly from the circuit to hospital. The medical helicopter landed on pits straight to airlift the unfortunate driver away and the session could not begin until it returned.

When it finally got going, almost an hour late, track conditions were perfect with the morning's heavy rain replaced by sunny skies. Audi's Mattias Ekstrom was the first frontrunner to show form, setting the early pace while team-mate Martin Tomczyk just missed the barriers during a grassy excursion at Marlboro-bocht.

Aiello didn't take long to get into his stride, setting pole position with a 1m36.960s effort midway through the session. Schneider was struggling with the handling of his Mercedes CLK, and was as low down as 13th before his final effort lifted him to seventh.

Aiello, who will be crowned champion if he scores seven points tomorrow, said: "Everyone is talking about the championship, but I'm trying not to think about it. They are doing all my thinking for me!"

Three Audis filled the top four places, giving Aiello much needed support, but he will be joined on the front row by Merc's Marcel Fassler, who pledged: "I want to stay out of the championship fight."

Christian Abt and Ekstrom will line up on row two, ahead of the leading Opels of Manuel Reuter and Alain Menu. Behind Schneider, Uwe Alzen (Mercedes), Timo Scheider (Opel) and Michael Bartels (Opel) round out the top 10. Britain's Peter Dumbreck will start a lowly 20th, after struggling with the handling of his year-old Mercedes, ahead of Opel returnee Eric Helary.