The start of the WEC’s first free practice session saw very little track action with a heavy downpour hitting the track before the session began.
With the rain still coming down hard only five cars ventured out on track. The #2 Audi and the #8 Toyota were quickly followed out by both Manthey Porches and the #32 Lotus.
Action was sparse early on with the cars finding their feet in very tricky conditions. Only a spin into the gravel for Marc Lieb in the #92 car provided any action in the first 30 minutes.
However as a dry line began to appear with more cars circulating the times began to fall. With Sarrazin, Duval, Fassler, Heidfeld and McNish all appearing at the top of the times at some point. It was certainly a stronger showing for the #12 Rebellion car with Heidfeld at the wheel, who occupied 2nd or 3rd in the times for much of the session. It wasn’t until the final couple of laps, with the sun out, that we saw the fastest time of the session with Loic Duval clocking a 2:03.749.
In LMP2 there was very little action. Only three cars completed full laps. The #49 PECOM car topped the class with a 2:12.072 ahead of both Lotus T128s. The biggest story in LMP2 was in fact the appearance of the #31 Lotus. It was the only car not to take part in yesterday’s test session. However it only lasted 11 laps before coming to a stand still out on track.
The LMGTE PRO class had all cars in action with a very strong showing from Aston Martin with all three cars in the top four. However it was the #92 Porsche that recovered from its earlier spin to top the times with a 2:17.164.
In the LMGTE AM class five of the eight cars graced the track, most of which only ventured out very late on. It was another strong showing from Aston Martin with a lock out of the top two places. Second was Stuart Hall in the #96 car but the drive of the session came from Nicki Thiim in the #95 car. His 2:18.022 was not only best in class but also quicker than all the PRO class Aston Martins.
James Goodwin
