Bamber tops the times
Cadillac Racing’s Earl Bamber ran fastest over the two Rookie Test sessions at Bahrain today, the Kiwi the only driver to set a sub 1:50, with a 1:49.566 during the morning in the #2 V-Series.R.
Of the ‘Rookies’ present, Arthur Leclerc ended up reeling off the quickest time aboard the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P. His 1:50.460 put him fifth in the combined rankings.
Valentino Rossi also impressed, completing a 1:50.557 in the afternoon in the #20 M Hybrid V8, putting him seventh in the times and two-tenths up on GP2 ace Victor Martins, who drove the #36 Alpine.
Of the 37 drivers who took to the track in LMGT3, Lexus factory driver Ben Barnicoat’s 2:01.772 was the benchmark. The quickest ‘Rookie’ was AMR Driver Academy inductee Mahaveer Raghunathan, who set a 2:02.623 in the #55 Ferrari. He was just two hundredths quicker than Aurélien Panis in the #78 Lexus.
Leclerc gets up to speed quickly after “dream” drive
Panis Racing ELMS driver Arthur Leclerc stood out today with Ferrari, setting the fastest time of the Hypercar newcomers during the afternoon.
“It’s a completely different car to what I’m used to. But I’ve done pretty well and the team supported me to do so. It feels special to be here in the Ferrari Hypercar, it’s my dream to drive the car that’s won Le Mans,” he said.
After his 61-lap run in the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P, the 24-year-old pointed out that his preparation time was actually limited by his other Ferrari duties.
“I didn’t have much opportunity to use the sim because of my Formula One development work. Before the weekend I checked the data though and met with some of the team members to learn the steering wheel and how to drive this car.”
Will we see him in a 499P more regularly in the future? He sure hopes so.
“I have no idea what 2025 looks like, but something similar between single-seaters and endurance seems to be that you sign quite late!” He quipped when asked about his short-term career plans.
“Hopefully one day I can drive the Hypercar, in the next two or three years, I hope one day to be behind the steering wheel. If you gave me every chance, I’d do F1 and Hypercar! But Hypercar would be my dream with Ferrari because I’d love to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Rossi relishes Hypercar debut
The clear headline of the day was MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi’s maiden Hypercar test with BMW Team WRT. The Italian completed 69 tours of the Sakhir circuit over the two sessions, set a 1:50.557 to go seventh in the combined rankings and enjoyed the experience behind the wheel.
“I am really happy about today. From my first moment, I had a good feeling with the car and tyres. I expected to suffer a bit more in warming up the tyres. But here with the 50 degrees I didn’t have that problem,” he told reporters.
“I tried both tyre options, set my quickest on the mediums but felt good with the hard. This car has a lot of horsepower, but you have a good feeling and I like the braking without ABS. Sometimes you make mistakes but you can adapt it more to your style. It’s a proper racecar, more stiff and precise and you have a lot of aero so it’s impressive.
“The line you take with the Hypercar is also similar to the motorcycle line because you stay on the track and in a GT you cut everything. So this car is more similar to a bike.
“As for my time, I was a bit unlucky because I had two sets and with the second you can improve. With the first, I had a red flag, and with the second I spun in traffic. Luckily I managed another lap and set the 50.5 but there’s more potential there.”
As for the plan going forward, Rossi said he hasn’t yet decided if he will return to the WEC.
Harper & Hesse encouraged, sim preparation pays off
Along with Rossi, works drivers Max Hesse and Dan Harper also featured in BMW’s run plan today. The pair used today’s outing to get a taster experience of life in the Hypercar factory team.
The pair were keen to comment on the sim work they completed to prepare for the test.
“It started off difficult, I didn’t know what to expect,” Harper explained. “I drove the simulator in Munich which now I can say is very representative.
“Now I’ve driven the real car it’s very comparable. I think certain things can be improved though, which is good for us to know. We can develop it for next year and help everything.”
As for the future, both have clear ambitions to climb back into the M Hybrid V8, though there’s nothing confirmed.
Hesse told reporters: “I’d like to race the car next year, but it’s not in my hands. We keep working, we have goals in GT racing. Whenever Andreas (Roos) feels like we are ready we will definitely say ‘yes’ but I don’t have a plan of how long.”
De Gerus & Masson push to impress Toyota
Toyota’s day featured runs for works-supported AKKODIS ASP driver Esteban Masson and LMEM nominee Reshad De Gerus in the #7 GR010 HYBRID.
For Masson, this test provided him with a first taste of Hypercar driving after a brief spell with COOL Racing testing an LMP2 car at Portimão last month. That, plus half a day of sim work at TGR Europe’s headquarters in Cologne, helped him prepare for today’s track action.
“The aim for me is to become a pro driver, so going to P2 and doing this places me one step closer. My aim is to race the Hypercar in the near future,” he said. “I was happy with my season, Toyota was as well, so everything came together.
“This is different to what I’m used to in single-seaters where you don’t need to change anything while driving. GTs was a step, but this is a big step. That’s the main difference, as the Hypercar isn’t that different, it’s just got more settings and weight and is much better in every sense.
“I’m just grateful to be honest to drive the title-winning car. I am trying to learn as much as possible after doing my work in the sim.”
De Gerus meanwhile, was nominated to drive the car which clinched the Manufacturers’ title, meaning he didn’t know until late last night which Hypercar he’d be driving.
Originally listed against the #6 Porsche 963 by default due to the championship standings, the IDEC Sport racer was somewhat relieved that Toyota won the title as he was most prepared to drive the GR010.
“It was a surprise to be selected, but I am so happy to be here as it’s a gift for the work I’ve done in recent years in sportscars,” he said. “Toyota has been amazing, and they had the car I wanted to test because they allowed me to discover everything, I had a chance to prepare well for this test with a seat fit and sim prep even without knowing if I would be driving with them.”
As for the times, both set their best laps in the afternoon on fresh rubber after using used tyres during the morning. Masson’s quickest was a 1:51.871, while De Gerus’ managed a 1:52.619.
The off-season now begins for both drivers. Their 2025 programmes are not yet confirmed, but both expressed an interest in racing prototypes in 2025, with De Gerus specifically making it clear that he is keen to return to the ELMS’ LMP2 ranks.
Hanson seizes AF Corse opportunity
It’s been a big day today for Phil Hanson, who turned his first laps aboard a Ferrari 499P, following the news prior to the WEC season finale that he’s moving from HERTZ Team JOTA to AF Corse in 2025 to race in the #83.
Next year Hanson will race alongside Yifei Ye and likely Robert Kubica in the seat filled by Robert Shwartzman in 2024.
With Shwartzman leaving Ferrari for what is widely expected to be a seat in IndyCar next year, Hanson found himself with an opportunity to race with AF Corse that he couldn’t turn down, as JOTA transitions to becoming Cadillac’s factory service provider in the WEC.
“Like anything in motorsport, it begins with a discussion, and once Ferrari knew it had a vacancy to fill it moved forward,” he told DSC. “And it’s an amazing chance for me, as it’s clear that AF Corse runs the #83 very closely to the #50 and #51, you can see that in the garage set-up and the results. And in terms of Le Mans performance, the 499P is the car to have.
“It’s sad to leave JOTA, but they are going to be in a really good place next year with Cadillac, and it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out. They will be a formidable force once they have the advantage of being a factory team.
Across the day the Brition completed 65 laps, with a best time of 1:51.424, set on the Michelin hard tyres. His feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“It was a really cool day, driving a new car on a track I raced at the day before is rare,” he told DSC. “Inherently the car is very different to the Porsche, but still delivers a very different lap time. It was an exciting challenge learning how to deliver the time in an alternate way. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve had to adapt so quickly to something after developing habits, I was on autopilot at times.”
Martins shows pace in Alpine run
Alpine Academy F2 racer Victor Martins was the big name testing the A424 today. The 23-year-old Frenchman set a best time of 1:50.717 in the Afternoon session, putting him amongst the quickest drivers of the day.
Speaking with reporters after his time in the car, Martins said his previous F1 testing experience was useful in preparing for today’s Hypercar debut, despite there being key differences between the two formulas.
“There are many things that are different, like energy management, but there is lift and coast in both. It’s easy to get used to it though,” he said.
“I just wanted to have a clean day, not make mistakes, give back the car to the team and get a first taste. My main goal is still F1, I am still looking at it. For next year I am not sure what I will be doing, but I will be doing what myself and my manager think is the best way to reach F1.
“Being part of the academy brought me here and I am super happy. It was my first time in an endurance car and I had expectations, but working with so many people is quite new. It hasn’t changed what’s in my mind. I dream about F1, but for sure this is something to consider, not in the short term, but in the future.”
Mitas Racing’s time with Cadillac comes to an end
HERTZ Team JOTA didn’t take part in today’s Rookie Test, but its new manufacturer partner Cadillac did, with the Mitas Racing-led Chip Ganassi Racing crew rolling the V-Series.R out for Fred Vesti, Daniel Juncadella and Charlie Eastwood.
It was the final day for Stephen Mitas’ team running the V-Series.R – after a two-year spell as Cadillac’s FIA WEC service provider for Chip Ganassi Racing – before JOTA takes over the reins this winter.
While Mitas Racing’s staff are not set to return to the FIA WEC next season, Stephen is busy plotting a return in the future.
In the meantime though, he told DSC, Mitas Racing will be working on a significant engineering project in the background and moving its operation to a new location in Stuttgart.
“We have a big project which will involve most of my people,” he said. “And were are looking at an alternative motor racing programme next year, with the firm intention to return to the WEC in the very near future. We are working very hard.
“I must say at this point that I’m so thankful for Chip Ganassi, Mike Hull and Mike O’Gara. Working with them has been fantastic and I can’t say enough for the support and trust they’ve all given us. And we look forward to maybe working with them again in the future.
“The chance to work with them over the past two years has opened up opportunities for us in the future. I’m hugely proud, honoured and thankful for this experience.”
As for Cadillac’s Rookie Test drivers, Eastwood set the fastest time, a 1:52.512 in the afternoon.
“The car was great to drive,” he said. “So fast on the straights, which we see in the races as they come past the GT cars like we’re stopped. A tricky car to drive and complex as well, and I think once you start to drive it more and more it will come quite rewarding. I had a really good last run in the car, good consistency throughout the run, which isn’t straightforward here in Bahrain.
“All in all, just loved the experience and hopefully it’s not my last time.”
Multiple additions add to busy paddock
A handful of names were added to the entry list this morning, including Sean Gelael being listed with United Autosports and Gustavo Menezes running with Bronze driver Edmond Barseghian at Iron Dames.
Henrion and Serravalle lap up the chance
Amongst those lapping on Sunday in different machinery to their norm were Gillian Henrion and Antonio Serravalle.
Henrion brushed aside the disappointment of a last-gasp loss of a shot at the ELMS LMP3 title with his nomination by the FIA WEC to try out the WEC Championship-winning Porsche 911 LMGT3.R.
The three x 10 lap runs saw the young and rapid Frenchman getting to grips with the TC and ABS of the Porsche in his very first run in a GT car.
“There was a lot to get my thoughts around in three short runs, the car is clearly very good but the braking discipline is totally different from an LMP, far less modulation and far more (indicted heavy and sustained pressure) to get the best performance,” he said.
“I got a new tyre run with half fuel load and put in what I think was a pretty good time then matched that time on older rubber on my last run. It was a great experience, I am so grateful for the opportunity. Now I have to work hard to find a programme for 2025!”
Antonio Serravalle was last in the FIA WEC paddock as one of the drivers of the now-withdrawn Isotta Fraschini Hypercar. He was awaiting a second run in Proton’s Porsche 963 as DSC caught up in the paddock:
“It’s almost entirely different to the Isotta, in particular in its behaviour under braking. It’s not bad, it’s something to get my head around. The car is clearly very good but while the Isotta had some similarities to the single-seaters I have raced, this feels totally different.”
The testing will continue
Today’s Rookie Test is the first of multiple test days for WEC teams over the next week. All but one of the manufacturers are set to stay on for the Michelin tyre development test tomorrow at the track.
This includes a run for the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, which will be out testing for the first time with other cars on track. Multimatic Motorsports George Howard-Chappell was on hand in the paddock today, in Heart of Racing garb. He is understood to be directing the effort at the test.
A number of prospective drivers for the programme are due to take part as the British brand and partner team Heart of Racing prepare for the IMSA Sanctioned Test at Daytona later in the month.
The only omission is Cadillac, which will not run due to the clashing handover from Ganassi to JOTA.
Lamborghini meanwhile, is understood to be staying on after the tyre test to complete more running.
Victor Martins image courtesy of Alpine/DPPI
