Kox surprised to be on GT1 pole

It was the first time the Russian-entered Murcielago R-GT has qualified on pole in the Le Mans Series, and Kox said that he expected the car, which lapped at 1:45.327, to be even faster during the race.

"We are surprised," said Kox. "The Lambo doesn't like this English weather so much, so we are a bit surprised.

"But the team worked hard, they soldiered on and [tyre supplier] Michelin has given us a lot of support and helped us find some time in the car. So it will be interesting to see how it goes in the race.

"For me normally the car gets better when there is more grip and at the moment the circuit is quite green so in that respect I am pleased that we are so fast already."

Both drivers and teams GT1 championships remain up for grabs in tomorrow's Le Mans Series finale.

And while Luc Alphand Aventure's Corvette C6.R crew of Patrice Goueslard and Guillaume Moreau lead the series by eight points from Tomas Enge and Antonio Garcia's Team Modena Aston Martin, the former Czech Formula One driver has not given up.

"We have to win the race," said Enge. "Our only theoretical chance is if Luc Alphand don't score and we win the race so, we will go for a victory obviously.

"We know we have nothing to lose, so I hope it will go our way and we will see tomorrow. Obviously the rain, or the weather be key, and we hope for a dry race."

For the Corvette crew, the plan is play on caution rather than valour.

"We just have to be very safe," said Moreau.

Meet the Aston Martin drivers at the Autosport stand at Silverstone this weekend.