Felipe Fernández, who’s fast becoming a Spa specialist, secured his second pole position in a row at the iconic Belgian circuit, claiming pole last year in a tricky wet session, while this year under clear blue skies broke the lap record and claimed the new TCR Europe Pole Position Award by TR Watches.

The RC2 Racing Team driver also secured the Diamond Trophy class pole position, and will start alongside his Honda team-mate Santiago Concepción on the front row tomorrow for the first race of the day.

“It’s an amazing sensation,” said Fernández after qualifying. “ I don’t know how it happened, I love this track, I worked so hard for this weekend - but really I don’t know how I did it.

“Tomorrow, hopefully I finish the job, as last year I started P1 and lost two places. I start alongside my team-mate, so we’ll talk later on how to work together tomorrow and have a great result.”