After Aston Martin and Genesis set the pace in the first two WEC practice sessions at Interlagos yesterday, it was Alpine’s turn this morning to lead the way in the final 60-minute blast before Qualifying.
There was a lot of shuffling early in the session, with BMW’s #15 M Hybrid V8 and the #007 Aston Martin both sitting atop the timing screens initially, before Victor Martins went quickest in the #36 A424, posting a 1:24.038, the fastest time of the meeting so far, which would stand until the end.
That was 0.165 faster than anyone else during the run, a time set on a full set of new Medium Michelins.
There was a little bit of experimentation with the Hard from Toyota and Peugeot yesterday, but this morning, the entire field spent all 60 minutes on Mediums. It’s not been hot enough for the Hards to be effective, and forecasts suggest they won’t be needed tomorrow either.
The #19 Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001, which was the quickest car in FP2, ended up second with a 1:24.203 from Mathieu Jaminet. The #007 fell to third with Harry Tincknell’s 1:24.220. The #17 Genesis was fourth, with the fastest Ferrari, the #50, fifth, just two tenths off.
Elsewhere in the class, it was a messy session for Peugeot. The #93 9X8 was turned into a spin by the #32 WRT BMW, and the #94 sister car completed just 18 laps after spending much of the session in its pit box having a rear-left sensor repaired.
LMGT3 saw Iron Lynx’s #61 Mercedes-AMG GT3 claim the top spot when Rui Andrade reeled off at 1:34.283.
There was plenty of movement at the top of the category during the hour, with several teams using the time to complete qualifying simulations.
The #87 AKKODIS ASP was quick again, with a 1:34.283 to go second. Francesco Castellacci went top briefly before dropping to third in the championship-chasing #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari with a 1:34.416.
The #88 Proton Ford Mustang was fourth with a strong 1:34.781 from Giammarco Levorato. The #69 WRT BMW completed the top five.
Qualifying is up next; it is set to get underway at 14:30 local time.
Image courtesy of DPPI
