Audi pilot Edoardo Mortara has claimed pole in the opening qualifying session for the City of Dreams Macau GT Cup race.

Mortara, who set the pace in opening practice at the iconic street track, claimed the top time in a red flag marred session from V8 Supercars driver Maro Engel who finished second quickest despite an earlier scare.

The second Erebus entry for Dutch driver Renger van der Zande was third fastest.

Engel and van der Zande traded the fastest lap times throughout the session, before defending Macau GT Cup winner Mortara put in his quick time right before a red flag cut the session short by 90s.

This hampered van der Zande’s run, as he was just out on a brand new set of Yokohama’s in an attempt to wrestle back the provisional pole position.

Earlier, a red flag after nine minutes saw both Erebus Motorsport drivers place new rubber on their cars.

Engel was the first to bring a gasp from the team, contending with opposite lock at 250km/h through Mandarin before van der Zande struck a displaced curb exiting Mandarin, unsettling his SLS AMG GT3 into a slide.

Both dodged any damage around the 6.1km Guia circuit.

Tomorrow, the duo will head back out for a second qualifying session to set the grid for Sunday’s race.

Keeping a watching eye over the pair throughout the weekend has been German DTM and sports car legend, Bernd Schneider who will be joined by Mika Hakkinen for Sunday’s event.

Team owner Betty Klimenko was suitably impressed with both entries in the opening qualifying run.

“It was a sensational first qualifying for both our guys, they did a wonderful job, even if I did have to hold my breath, close my eyes and hang onto the person closest to me on a couple of occasions,” Klimenko said.

A livestream organised through AMG China of both qualifying 2 tomorrow from 12:30pm local time and the race on Sunday from 9am local time will be carried on www.erebusmotorsportgt.com