Ford looked set to score its first pole position for the new Ford GT at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca only for Brazilian ace Daniel Serra to spoil their party in the dying moments of GTLM qualifying.

The Scuderia Corsa Ferrari F488 GTE was fast yesterday, leading both sessions, but Ford’s Ryan Briscoe looked set to grab the top spot until Serra’s final lap pushed both the No.67 and No.66 machines back to second and third.

The performance was the first GTLM pole for Serra who also leads this year’s Brazilian Stock Car Championship after two rounds.

“It was a really quick lap, the car was getting better and better each lap,” the son of ex-Formula 1 racer, Chico Serra said.

“We put in a lot of laps on the tire. It was me getting comfortable. I was really happy for that lap and for the team. We figured where we had to move and where to go, we got a result that was so fast.

“It’s a good race to be on pole and push, and its good to be on pole position. its a long race and the completion is quite high. It will be a difficult race going on tomorrow.”

The Scuderia Corsa team went close to having a perfect day with Christina Nielsen qualifying her Ferrari F488 GT3 second fastest in the GTD class.

For Ford, the qualifying performance was the best to date for the new car – topping the third fastest time in the FIA World Endurance Championship they earned at Silverstone.

“It was awesome. The car felt really good. I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t keep the pole there at the end,” Briscoe said.

“We sort of pitted a little early to save the tires for the race and just got passed by a tenth. Really, we’ve been fast since we unloaded this weekend. Michelin’s done a great job with the tire for us. It’s suiting our car. It’s a good positive note going into tomorrow.”

Tommy Milner was fourth fastest today for Corvette Racing ahead of Toni Vilander’s Ferrari and the second Corvette of Jan Magnussen.

Pole in the GTD class went to Alex Riberas in the Alex Job Racing No.23 Porsche. The Spaniard was a stunning .722 of a second ahead of chasing pack.

GTLM pole goes to @Scuderia_Corsa & @DanielSerra29 – beats @FordPerformance duo on final run https://t.co/PLvEi5O5CB pic.twitter.com/vjEn5IHSMb

— Michelin Alley (@MichelinAlley) May 1, 2016

#DreamComeTrue first #GTLM pole for @FerrariRaces #488GTE and both @Scuderia_Corsa on first row @MazdaRaceway pic.twitter.com/6HR4K3p9w3

— ScuderiaCorsa (@Scuderia_Corsa) May 1, 2016

History repeats w first timer @MazdaRaceway @DanielSerra29 on GTLM pole,3yrs after @BalzanAle pole in GT Team debut pic.twitter.com/TfDCwOKLDD

— ScuderiaCorsa (@Scuderia_Corsa) May 1, 2016

#IMSA Best qualy yet for #FordGT. Congrats to @Ryan_Briscoe (p2) & @muellerdirk (p3) @CGRsportscar #MontereyGP pic.twitter.com/f5a9uKiaRg

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) May 1, 2016

//www.imsatiming.com/Results/2016/WeatherTech%20Championship/04-MRLS/WeatherTech%20Championship%20MRLS%20Qualifying.pdf