Thrilling qualifying sessions played out at the Red Bull Ring this morning to set the grid for this afternoon’s third round of the 2014 European Le Mans Series.
Making it a hat-trick of pole positions was Harry Tincknell in the Jota Sport Zytek-Nissan. The impressive youngster truly demoralised his opposition to set a series of outstanding laps to clinch a clear pole.
What is more, the Devonshire ace recovered from a first quick lap spin at the Rindtkurve (believed to be his only rotation thus far in 2014!) to peak with a 1m23.078s lap on his final tour, visibly delighting his watching team mates Filipe Albuquerque and Simon Dolan.
“We’ve got qualifying down to a ‘t’ at present,” said a satisfied Tincknell afterwards. “It is nice to keep our 100% record going and these extra points might prove crucial at the end of the season.”
Tincknell’s stock continues to rise on the endurance scene and his confidence is growing by the race.
“We are the team to beat at present but the race is the main objectives for us. We have several strategies in terms of the driving stints this afternoon and all I can tell you at present is that Felipe will start the race.”
It is worth noting that not only is this Jota Sport’s third consecutive pole (Tincknell’s second of the season) but courtesy of the ‘Hignett-Statto department’ it is also the seventh from eight in the ELMS since the start of 2013!
Joining Jota Sport on the front row of the grid will be the Race Performance Oreca-Judd. Franck Mailleux, who along with team mate and team owner, Michel Frey, has been fast all weekend, clinched the P2 spot on his final lap. However, his best was 0.483s from Tincknell’s scintillating pole.
Tristan Gommendy looked to be in contention for a crack at pole in the Ligier-Nissan coupe. The Frenchman initially traded times with Tincknell but pitted with two minutes to go in the session, electing to save his Dunlop’s for this afternoon’s. Thus the team were a slightly disappointed third but this Nissan powered Ligier coupe will be one to watch on consistent race performance this afternoon, especially as ‘Ludo’ Badey is now all but a match for Pierre Thiriet’s pace.
Christian Klien placed fourth in the New Blood by Morand Morgan LMP2, the local hero was never quite on the pace of the top three but confident that with Pierre Ragues replacing Romain Brandela in the team, they can challenge as the race progresses in the turquoise Judd powered LMP2.
Nelson Panciatici claimed fifth place, putting behind him a sobering visit to the Race Director yesterday afternoon. The reigning champion held top spot early in the session but the Signature Alpine was never in serious contention to launch an attack on the front row. Oli Webb and the ever improving Paul-Loup Chatin complete a formidable driver line-up once again.
Greaves Motorsport start 6th and 7th with their brace of Nissan powered Zytek’s. As usual Tom Kimber-Smith attacked the 2.688 mile track with gusto and just headed LMP new comer Luciano Bacheta, who looks to have a very good turn of pace already. Bacheta shares the #28 Greaves Zytek-Nissan with 2012 Russian Nissan GT Academy graduate, who continues to impress the team, particularly veteran engineer, Ricardo Davila.
LMGTE saw a fascinating battle between Porsche and Ferrari. Yes, you heard that correctly, two manufacturers jousting it out, something of a novelty this season and hopefully some evidence, however small, that the BoP changes are making some difference! The speed trap figures show that the Ferrari (#72 SMP) and Porsche (#67 IMA Performance Matmut) shared the LMGTE fastest on 244.3, quicker than all bar three of the LMP2 runners and exactly the same top speed as the Ligier coupe!
In the 20-mins session the inherent brilliance of Richard Lietz, a very late addition to the Proton Competition Porsche, laid down the initial marker, as the rapid Austrian set a best of 1m29.471, before Andrea Bertolini snatched the pole position away in his SMP Racing run Ferrari 458 Italia on a scorching 1m29.286s.
The Italian ace notched up his second pole position of the season to grab the extra point and continue the Prancing Horse’s domination of the class in 2014. However, this session saw much more competition for the 458s, with Lietz, in his Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, ultimately sharing the front row of the LMGTE grid with Bertolini.
“We have been comfortable on pace and on tyres right through the sessions this weekend,” said Bertolini. “The balance is nice and my team mates (Zlobin and Shaitar) have had lots of laps so we will be in good shape, even if I know that there are some Ferrari’s also near the back that will be coming through to attack us. It will be hot, tough and exciting out there.”
An excellent third fastest in LMGTE was Stuart Hall in the Gulf Racing Aston-Martin. It was by far the best showing of the season from the Vantage V8 and Hall cut a much happier figure post-session.
While there was satisfaction for one UK driver there was despondency for another as Matt Griffin was stifled by a fuelling issue in his AF Corse Ferrari 458. He and team mates Duncan Cameron and Michele Rugolo start a lowly 12th in class.
Rob Bell enjoyed a good return to his natural home of JMW Motorsport by setting the fourth fastest time. The 2007 and 2008 LMS GT2 champion was less than a tenth of a second away from Hall and ensured that he and team mates George Richardson and Daniel McKenzie have a solid platform for a strong race this afternoon.
Pierre Kaffer reckoned a crack at pole was on for his AT Racing Ferrari but an electrical issue stranded him out on the circuit on the run down from Hella-Licht. Instead he starts 5th.
In the GTC class Jan Magnussen headed the times for the majority of the session but came under attack from the #98 ART McLaren MP4-12C of Kevin Korjus. Magnussen’s Formula Racing Ferrari 458 Italia secured a second pole on the trot (last time at Imola courtesy of Mikkel Mac).
“My lap was good but I know that the race will be tough as I expect hard conditions on the track and in the cockpit with the heat,” said Magnussen. “There is a lot of confidence in the team after Imola and we are sharper as a result.”
Remarkably, Magnussen is racing at the Red Bull Ring for the first time since 1997, when he qualified an F1 career best of 6th in the Stewart-Ford. At the same time as he starts the Formula Racing Ferrari this afternoon, son Kevin will be doing exactly the same a few hundred miles north at Hockenheim. Jan meanwhile will be looking at a very different McLaren in his mirrors!
This afternoon’s race start at 14.00cet and you can follow liv action via www.twitter.com/dscracelive
Sam Smith
