Toyota Gazoo Racing’s GR010 HYBRIDs ended up 1-2 atop the timing screens in Free Practice 2 for the FIA WEC runners at the Fuji Speedway this afternoon, with Sebastien Buemi setting the fastest time early in the session in the #8.
The Swiss’ fastest lap, set in significantly better conditions than the first session earlier in the day, was a 1:29.523. It was almost six-tenths faster than the sister car, which ended up with a 1:30.120.
Third in the times was the #38 HERTZ Team JOTA Porsche 963, which finished with a 1:30.584, Antonio Felix Da Costa reeling off the car’s best tour of the circuit.
After finishing 1-2 in Free Practice 1, which was held on a wet track after rain throughout the morning, Ferrari AF Corse’s 499Ps were fourth and sixth. The quicker of the two was the #51, which set a best time just over a second off the #8 Toyota. The #5 Porsche Penske 963 split the two 499Ps and slotted in fifth.
LMP2 was tight at the top, with the top five all setting times in the 1:33s.
Louis Deletraz in the #41 Team WRT ORECA ended up setting the benchmark time, a 1:33.131, bettering Pietro Fittipaldi’s best lap in the #28 JOTA example which eventually was good enough for second. The #23 United ORECA rounded out the top three.
GTE Am meanwhile, saw AF Corse-run Ferrari 488 GTE Evos finish 1-2-3, with the #54 leading the way with a 1:38.239 from Davide Rigon. The #21 finished the day second, with the #83 Richard Mille-backed car third.
The quickest Porsche was the #83 from Dempsey Proton Racing which was fourth fastest. The #777 Vantage AMR from D’Station was the quickest of the Aston Martins in sixth. The title-winning Corvette Racing C8.R ended up 10th.
Track action for the FIA WEC teams continues tomorrow with Free Practice 3 at 10:20 local time.
