Hyett on his pole-setting performance
Today’s LMP2 Qualifying session was a special one for PJ Hyett. The American, ahead of just his fourth race in an LMP2 car tomorrow, delivered a superb hot lap in prototype qualifying to put the #55 Proton Competition ORECA on pole.
His pole lap, he told DSC after the session, was beyond all expectations, fast enough to better the best efforts of fellow Bronze drivers Ahmad Al Harthy and Salih Yoluc.
“We were trying to get the set up dialled in for the race during practice. We wanted a consistent, fast race car, but clearly, I was able to figure something out in Quali to find the speed.
“The 1:49 lap I did early in the session was by far the best lap I’d done to that point, but I knew that I’d made mistakes. So I knew if I could clean it up I could go faster. It gave me the confidence to clean up some of the errors. The 1:48… I’m in disbelief to be honest with you. The car was amazing.
“The irony is that because the guys in LMP2 are so good, it takes pressure off me. I always want to do well, I always dream of pole, but because of the talent I’m up against I’m thinking mid-pack or towards the front if it goes well. So I just wanted to have a good time. Maybe not being stressed worked for me?
“I’m still in a state of shock, hopefully, I can get my head on straight for the start. The P2 and I get on well, and I have an unbelievable group around me. I’m not doing this on my own, there’s a whole team helping me go fast!”
Track limits almost cost Saintéloc
The #42 Saintéloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II was initially dropped from second to the back of the GT grid after the Qualifying session ended due to track limits violations, the team confirmed to DSC.
Alban Varutti and the team, who lead the championship standings after last year’s races in Sepang, were clearly frustrated by the decision but appeared to be confident that the pace of the #42 would allow them to salvage a result after the setback.
However, after lengthy technical checks after the session, Varutti’s 1:58.411 was reinstated, handing a space on the front row back to the team.
No explanation for the change in result has yet been given. Nevertheless, Saintéloc will surely be relieved that it won’t have to start at the back!
Track limits have been a hot-button topic all weekend in Dubai, with numerous drivers handed stop-go penalties throughout each practice session for ‘constant abuse’. It will be interesting to see if tomorrow’s race is impacted by further penalties…
The final qualifying results can be found HERE >>>
Leung using Asian Le Mans to prepare for maiden WEC campaign
This week is turning out to a memorable one for Project 1 driver Darren Leung Project 1, but not because of the track action here in Dubai. Instead, Leung has a spring in his step following the announcement overnight that he will be taking on a full-season FIA WEC campaign for the first time in a Team WRT BMW.
He is one of three drivers here in the paddock that will form part of WRT’s LMGT3 driver roster this year, the other two being 99 Racing’s Ahmad Al Harthy and Saintéloc’s Sean Gelael.
The highly motivated Briton told DSC that this Asian Le Mans Series campaign, his first outside of Europe, has become a key part of the build-up to his first appearance in the world championship.
“Everyone around Project 1 is super nice. You never know what you’re getting when you work with a new team,” said the 2023 British GT3 champion. “But everyone has been easy to get along with and it’s going pretty well. Being here in Asian Le Mans is really good prep for WEC, just getting my first proper runs out, in my first races outside of Europe.
“We struggled with the car in Sepang, but I was happy with my performance. And it’s allowing me to get used to driving with prototypes going by ahead of the WEC campaign. It’s actually a lot easier than I thought. As a slower car, you know what’s going to happen because you can dictate it. So it’s been good to get some experience there.
“I couldn’t be any more motivated for this WEC season. I can’t wait to walk in the paddock, with the WRT crew, see the way the WEC operates and soak it all up.
“I’ve been doing nine gym sessions a week and losing weight at a steady pace, which to me is free time each lap. I’ve lost 17 kilos and am in a lot better shape now. By the time I get to Le Mans, I will be in the best shape of my life.”
Sepang highlights
Ahead of tomorrow’s 4 Hours of Dubai, which is set to get underway at 13:00 local time, why not refresh your memory on the last Asian Le Mans Series race in Sepang back in December with the official highlights package on YouTube?
Images courtesy of Asian Le Mans Series
