Porsche went quickest in the first session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with the #1 919 setting a 1:27.335 in the 90-minute test session, with Timo Bernhard at the wheel. But the big story from the session was a sizeable off from Stephane Sarrazin at the final corner, severely damaging the #6 TS050 with mid-way through the session. It’s going to be a tough day for the Toyota Gazoo mechanics, repairing the car.
Behind the #1 Porsche on the screens was the #2 sister 919, making it a 1-2 for the team, with a best lap three tenths shy of the reigning champs. The fastest non-Porsche was the #8 Audi of Lucas Di Grassi, Loic Duval and Oliver Jarvis, which set a 1:27.864, ahead of the #7 R18 of Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler a further half a tenth back.
The two Toyota’s, the damaged #6 leading the #5, ended up fifth and sixth.
Leading the way in LMP2 meanwhile was the G-Drive Racing squad, after Alex Brundle set a 1:37.370, to go four tenths faster than the rest of the field. Strakka Racing set the second quickest time when Jonny Kane climbed aboard following Lewis Williamson’s initial recon stint, and set a 1:37.320. Rounding out the top three was the #31 ESM Ligier after a 1:38.002.
GTE Pro, which will be interesting this weekend, seeing the differences in performance between the turbo and non-turbo cars at such a high altitude, saw the #51 AF Corse 488 of Gianmaria Bruni set the best time; a 1:41.589.
Three tenths off the Italian veteran was the #95 Aston Martin of Nicki Thiim and Marco Sorensen, which set a 1:41.922.
#97 driver Darren Turner in speaking to DSC after completing a short stint to bed in brakes, revealed that the loss of power in the non-turbo cars shouldn’t have too much impact on lap times compared to the turbo-powered Fords and Ferraris.
“I think everything we lose in power, we gain in aero concept through the slow corners, as there’s a lot of 1st gear corners,” he said. “It’s strange though, it takes a few laps to get settled, as we are 20% down on power and it feels strange.
“The track is good though, it’s enjoyable because it’s new and challenging through the tight sections with the traffic. When there’s a blank sheet of paper like this it’s going to take a while for everyone to find the right lines, it’s so low grip now, though it’s improving all the time.”
Third in Pro was the #77 Dempsey Proton Porsche, which slotted into its final position minutes before the end of the session when Richard Lietz set a 1:41.959 to push the #97 Aston to fourth.
GTE Am saw KCMG lead the way with a 1:43.571 ahead of the #83 AF Corse Ferrari and #86 Gulf Porsche.
