Free Practice 1 at the Algarve International Circuit got underway in overcast conditions, with strong wind providing a challenge for all drivers, especially the ones at the wheel of the lighter and more aerodynamically sensitive prototypes.
It was neverthless a strong start to the meeting for local outfit Algarve Pro Racing, which topped the timing sheets with a 1:33.898, its #25 LMP2 class ORECA, which proved to be the only car in the 1:33s. James Allen set the time.
The #22 of United Autosports with Philip Hanson at the wheel finished second with a time of 1:34.075. Laurents Hörr was marginally slower in the IDEC Sport #28 ORECA 0.131 seconds behind the #22 car.
The LMP2 Pro/Am category saw another United Autosports car, this time in the lead, the #21 of Nelson Piquet Jr., making the American outfit proud. Rival American squad, DragonSpeed USA was next, second place taken by Sebastian Montoya at the helm of the #81 car. Finally, the last of the top three cars in LMP2 Pro/Am was the #24 ORECA of Nielsen Racing with Ben Hanley driving.
In LMP3 Wyatt Brichacek ran fastest, with a time of 1:38.649 in the #13 Inter Europol Competition Ligier. Oscar Tunjo slotted in second in the #12 WTM by Rinaldi Racing Duqueine. Third place was taken by RLR M Sport, with the #15 driven by Gael Julien.
The LMGTE class saw the #95 Aston Martin V8 Vantage AMR GTE of TF Sport lead the GT field, while the #60 Porsche 911 RSR-19 of Iron Lynx finished in second, followed by the #55 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo of Spirit of Race.
The session was marked rain showers and track limits violations, resulting in 5-minute stop and go penalties for the #19, #20, #95, and #83 and one 10-minute penalty issued to #20 for repeated offenses. An off-track excursion for Rui Águas in the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 10 minutes into the session saw the red flag come out for 16 minutes. The only other interruption was a FCY that lasted for four minutes later on.
Next up for the ELMS teams is the Bronze Test which is set to get underway at 16:20.
