WEC FIRST DAY: TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND RED FLAGS
The World Endurance Championship (WEC) returned to the track today for a day of practice after a long break, giving teams and drivers the chance to fine-tune their cars and gather data ahead of the upcoming race. With multiple classes competing and ever-changing conditions on the circuit, the sessions offered a glimpse of the strategies and pace that could shape the weekend’s action.
Free Practice 1
The first practice session of the weekend was disrupted by multiple red flags. The first break came early, caused by the #15 BMW Hypercar, which had to stop on track with suspected hybrid system issues. This incident was followed by technical problems within race control, leading to an extended red flag period that lasted nearly 60 minutes.
Once the session resumed, it wasn’t long before another red flag was caused, this time due to Derek DeBoer crashing his #10 Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3 on his out-lap at Turn 3. Another lengthy delay followed before green flag conditions finally returned.
Despite the interruptions, Team JOTA’s #12 Hypercar dominated the session, setting the fastest time of 1:53.584. The #007 Aston Martin Valkyrie finished close behind in second, just +0.129 seconds off the pace. Rounding out the top three was the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, a strong performance by the privateer entry, only +0.144 seconds slower.
LMGT3
The LMGT3 class was led by the TF Sport squad, with the #33 Corvette, driven by Ben Keating, topping the timesheets with a 2:07.037. Their sister car followed closely in second, just +0.057 seconds behind.
In third was the #95 United Autosports, clocking in +0.258 seconds off the lead, while the Iron Dames secured fourth with a gap of +0.328 seconds.
Current class championship leaders #92 Manthey 1st Phorm had a difficult session, ending up in 12th place, with their best time a 2:07.915.
The session couldn’t be completed under green flag, as a final-minute red flag brought it to an early end. The flag was caused by the #81 Corvette, which crashed in the final corner.
Free Practice 2
In Hypercar, Sheldon van der Linde put the BWM on top by setting the fastest lap in the #20 M Hybrid V8 wit a 1:51.946, edging out Antonio Giovinazzi’s #51 Ferrari by just under half a second. Alex Riberas placed the #009 Aston Martin Valkyrie third, only +0,050 seconds behind the Ferrari, while Kevin Estres Porsche and Robert Kubicas Ferrari completed the top five.
LGMT3
In LMGT3, Sean Gelael led the way in his #95 United Autosports Mclaren with a 2:06.545, just +0,090 seconds clear of Rahal Freay in the Iron Dames Porsche. Giammarco Levorato secured third in the Proton Ford Mustang with the second United Autosports Mclaren and the Akkodis ASP Lexus rounding out the top five.
The session was disrupted by a spin from Francesco Castellacci’s #54 Ferrari at Turn 13, bringing out a brief Full Course Yellow, and ended early when the #81 TF Sport Corvette stopped on track in turn 12, triggering a red flag in the final minutes.
Free Practice 3 will go green at 18:00 CET.
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