AF Corse’s Le Mans drivers
There are a number of Le Mans 24 Hours drivers still to be confirmed, including the third drivers for both LM GTE Pro AF Corse GTEs. DSC understands that two drivers set to be placed in the #51 and #71 cars are Andrea Bertolini and Alessandro Pier Guidi, though it is not yet clear which car each man will be confirmed aboard. The announcement is due to be made in a week or so.
Toni Vilander and Giancarlo Fisichella who usually take those seats meanwhile, are confirmed in the Risi Competitzione 488 for the race.
LMP2 tyres
DSC spoke to RGR by Morand’s Bruno Senna, who added more to the tyre situation in P2 after Dan Walmsley commented on the tyre compounds being used on Strakka’s Gibson.
“We can actually mix our tyres, and put softs on the front and mediums on the rear. For us that was a key to the car balance at Silverstone. It’s risky, but it can pay off.
“We think that trying out the soft, medium and medium plus Dunlops during the practice sessions is crucial, as in the heat here, the softs will have a huge drop-off.”
Fines
A large number of teams were dealt suspended €1000 fines by the stewards of the meeting for late submission for tyre reference data. The list includes all three LMP1 factory teams, Ford Chip Ganassi, AF Corse, Proton Competition (all three including the KCMG Porsche) and Gulf Racing UK.
G-Drive pole
The G-Drive Racing team set back to back poles at Spa, after the Qualifying this afternoon.
There’s a few differences though, as the team is using an Oreca chassis instead of a Ligier, running in association with Jota Sport and has a new driver alongside Romain Rusinov, Rene Rast rather than Sam Bird.
Audi damage
DSC also learnt the extent of the damage to the #8 Audi, after its clash in the final free practice session earlier today with the KCMG Porsche.
The front-left suspension and the panels on the side of the R18 were damaged. The mechanics also found that a track rod needed to be replaced.
