The first 80 minute free practice session for the Gulf 22 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit saw the #3 AF Corse Ferrari of Davide Rigon 458 take fastest time in the closing moments of the session with a 2:12.104 , relegating a rather smokey CN2 class #45 Avelon Formula Wolf to second fastest, Ivan Bellarosa posting a 2:12.294 in the last 15 minutes.
Stuart Hall’s early session 2:12.438 in the Pro Am class #69 Gulf Racing Lamborghini had been the fastest time for much of the session before a red flag with 30 minutes of the session remaining, the #99 Kessel Ferrari spining to a halt.
The #11 Kessel Ferrari was the only other runner under 2:13.000.
The Cup class #33 MRS GT Porsche led that class with a 2:16.790.
The #1 Black Falcon Mercedes was 5th fastest in the session, the Pro class #59 McLaren (Rob Bell) 7th and the Pro-Am #60 650S slowest in the session after just a couple of short runs, a blown hose the suspected issue for the brand new car.
