Toyota Gazoo Racing’s TS050 HYBRIDs continued their dominance in practice over the privateer LMP1 runners this morning in the final FIA WEC practice of the weekend, ending up first and second in the order once again.
The best time in the extended session came from Kamui Kobayashi in the #7 this time, a 1:24.589. It was, however, six tenths slower than Fernando Alonso’s best time from yesterday in the second practice session.
The #8 ended up second, with the fastest of the privateer runners the #17 SMP Racing BR1, 1.086 slower than the lead Toyota.
In LMP2, the #37 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA led the way, with a 1:29.352 from Jazeman Jaafar, which two tenths faster than the rest of the field. The #28 TDS Racing ORECA ended up second but didn’t have a clean session, Jean-Eric Vergne having an off at Turn 1, which damaged the car’s front end forcing the Frenchman into the pits for a nose change.
GTE Pro meanwhile, was wide open, with a car from each of the five manufacturers taking up the top five spots.
In the end, the #92 Porsche was top, with a 1:36.851 from Kevin Estre. The #67 Ford slotted in second, with the #95 Aston Martin third. Just outside the top three was the #71 AF Corse Ferrari, ahead of the #82 BMW – which led the session at one point – fifth.
Four of the five marques led the session, Ferrari the odd one out; remarkably just over three tenths separated the leading quintet.
Gulf Racing ensured that Porsche ran fastest in both classes in GTE Am, with a 1:37.709, Ben Barker going 0.124 and 0.256 quicker than the two Dempsey Proton Porsches, the #77 leading the #88.
Further down the order, the #90 TF Sport Aston Martin had a tough session, Salih Yoluc locking up at Turn 1 and causing a front-left puncture midway through the session.
The Aston then brought out red flags just before the end, Charlie Eastwood pulling over to the side of the circuit after the car’s fire extinguisher went off. It ended up ninth in the classification.
Next up is Qualifying at 14:00 local time.
