Ruben Volt charged to his second pole position of the season during a tense qualifying session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The session was challenging for the top two drivers in the championship: Marco Butti's technical issues resurfaced, leaving him to qualify in only 16th, while Eric Gené moved into the points lead despite setting only the fifth fastest time, due to multiple track limits violations shrinking the final tally of valid laps.

In the first part of qualifying, Monlau Motorsport's Jenson Brickley and RC2 Racing Team's Felipe Fernandez initially led the way. Brickley was the first driver to break into the 1:49s before Volt took control with a stunning lap of 1:49.501 right at the end of the session.

Butti's MM Motorsport team worked frantically on his car as technical issues again plagued the championship leader. The Italian returned to the track with just over five minutes remaining, setting a benchmark time that left him 16th on the grid for both of the weekend's races. This result presents him with a gigantic task to retake the standings lead and secure the championship.

His main title rival, Eric Gené, fared little better initially. Gené's first three lap times were deleted, and a final attempt on worn tyres was only enough for 13th, seemingly knocking him out of the session. However, a review of his third flying lap confirmed it was within the track limits and the time was reinstated, moving him up to ninth and bumping the Target Competition Hyundai of Max Hart out of the top 12.

In Q2, Volt confidently sealed pole position with a commanding lap of 1:49.345. The rival Hondas of Felipe Fernández and Jacopo Cimenes completed an all-Honda top three, with Brickley securing the fourth-best time as the quickest of the CUPRAs. Gené's first Q2 lap was also deleted, but his final run just at the line was quick enough for fifth. This spot earned him two crucial championship points, moving him into a clear lead of the standings.

Title rival Jimmy Clairet qualified just behind Gené in sixth. His teammate, Teddy Clairet, was ninth, meaning he will start Race 2 from the front row due to the reverse-grid rule, with Junesung Park set to start from pole in his Solite Indigo Racing Hyundai for tomorrow’s finale.

Race 1 gets underway at 15:30 CEST later today.