Ben Hanley set the pace in the first practice session of the European Le Mans Series weekend at Imola this morning.
The Briton set a 1:31.878 during a seven-lap run to put United Autosports’ #22 ORECA at the top of the timing screens by two and a half tenths.
Algarve Pro Racing’s #25 ORECA ended up second thanks to Peugeot reserve Theo Pourchaire’s efforts in the blistering heat. The Frenchman’s best time was a 1:32.144. Inter Europol’s Le Mans class-winning #43 07 completed the top three, 0.369 off.
Proton’s #9 ORECA, which ran fastest during testing yesterday, ended up fourth, with the #48 VDS Panis Racing entry fifth.
Mathias Beche set the fastest LMP2 Pro/Am time in the #29 TDS Racing ORECA. The Swiss’ 1:32.491 was enough to better the #77 Proton example by three tenths.
LMP3 saw WTM by Rinaldi’s Duqueine lead the way. Griffin Peebles’ 1:39.787 edged Quentin Antonel for M Racing.
And in LMGT3 TF Sport’s Corvette showed early speed with a 1:42.827 from Charlie Eastwood, who was the only driver to set a sub-1:43 time.
The Z06 LMGT3.R, which struggled to fight at the top end in the opening rounds of the season at Barcelona and Paul Ricard, is one of three cars running lighter following the latest round of Balance of Performance changes. The Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage and United Autosports McLaren have also received weight breaks for the weekend.
AF Corse’s #51 Ferrari 296 slotted in second thanks to a flyer from Davide Rigon. Kessel Racing’s #57 rounded out the top three.
It was a pretty clean session. The only disruption was a five-minute Full-Course Yellow after an off for the #8 Team Virage Ligier at Piratella.
The Bronze Test is next on the schedule later today, ahead of Free Practice 2 tomorrow at 10:50 local time.
