The Civic Type R TCR racer set the ninth-fastest time in Q2 to seal second on the grid for the partially reversed grid race, as the Honda Racing drivers grinded out pace on Saturday.
Having earlier squeezed through Q1 by 0.015 seconds - at the expense of one of his title rivals - a place in the top-10 was the maximum the Argentinian had expected, as for a third round in a row the track layout was not best-suited to the car.
His team-mate Nestor Girolami qualified a fine sixth in the other ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Civic Type R TCR, as he extended his streak of appearances in the top 10 in qualifying to four rounds.
‘Bebu’ will start Sunday’s races from fifth and sixth as he looks to boost Esteban’s and the team’s title bids, as well as his own standing in the Drivers’ Championship.