Frenchman Olivier Pla put IDEC Sport’s Ligier JS P217 atop the timing screens in this morning’s test session at Monza, marking the first time that Ligier’s new challenger had run fastest in this year’s official ELMS on-track running. Pla’s best time was a 1:36.461, just under three tenths quicker than the G-Drive Racing Oreca 07 which set a 1:36.761 during one of Ryo Hirokawa’s runs.
Third, fourth and fifth on the screens was also filled by Oreca 07s, with Graff pair of P2s once again proving to be quick coming in P3 and P5, split by DragonSpeed.
Sixth spot was taken by the United Autosports Ligier after Filipe Albuquerque set a 1:37.485, which caused a session-ending Red Flag after the car stopped out on track with Will Owen at the wheel. First of the Dalarras ended up seventh quickest, with High Class Racing managing a 1:37.800 from Anders Fjordbach.
In LMP3 United’s fortunes were better, with the #2 Ligier setting the pace with a 1:46.219. The team’s #24 JSP3 did stop out on track however during the session, bringing the action to a temporary halt. The #7 Duqueine Engineering and #11 Eurointernational entries ended up P2 and P3.
Further down the order the Oregon Team Norma M30 did turn laps – 39 of them to be exact – but Davide Roda had an off into the gravel at the start of the session bringing out a Full-Course Yellow while the car was recovered. The car’s best time ended up being a 1:47.019 to put the team 27th in the running order.
Beechdean AMR once again finished as the fastest team in GTE, though the car did only manage three laps in the session, Darren Turner’s 1:49.917 proving to be enough to end the morning with the best time.
TF Sport made it an Aston 1-2 in the category after a 1:50.157, but also had its running cut short due to an on-track incident. Salih Yoluc, who is still getting to grips with the GTE Vantage, has proved quick, though in the session he collided with an LMP3 at Turn 1, damaging the front of the car. It is unclear if and when the team will be back out this afternoon, as spare parts are in short supply here.
Rounding out the top three in GTE is the #55 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 following a 1:50.157 from Aaron Scott.
Three cars failed to make it out in the session. The Gulf-baged United and YMR Norma LMP3s after their off’s yesterday didn’t hit the track, as well as the new JSP3 from Cool Racing, the team opting to sit out.
