FIA World Endurance Championship had called all teams to a collective test day at Monza ahead of the season. It was mandatory to participate for all the teams who want to participate in the full season FIA WEC 2017. So there was plenty for the spectators to enjoy, who by the way had free entry to the track and the paddock area.
We have split up our reports from the weekend into four separate reports: one report per class.
We finish off with the GTE-Am category.
Photo: JJ Media
Five cars split on two Porsche 911 RSR (2015 models), 2 Ferrari F488 GTE (2016 models), and a single Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2016 model) are the field this year.
We have a bit of a tire war in the category too, where the Ferrari teams Spirit of Race #54 and Clearwater Racing #61 are the only running Michelin, while Gulf Racing #86, Dempsey-Proton Racing #77 and Aston Martin Racing #98 are running Dunlop tires.
Photo: JJ Media
The first session on Saturday started out with the two Porsche cars slightly in front, with #86 ahead of #77 and #54. All cars were within a second, so nobody ran away.
The afternoon session saw the same three cars in front, while Clearwater Racing #61 had sneaked the Ferrari ahead of AMR #98, opposite to the morning session.
Photo: JJ Media
Showers during the night session made only Gulf Racing #86 doing 15 laps, while Spirit of Race #54 did two laps.
Everybody wanted to drive again Sunday morning. #54 was the fastest ahead of #86 while AMR #98 for the first time mixed up in the top with third fastest time. All cars were within 0,7 of a second.
Photo: JJ Media
The test was finished off Sunday afternoon with a double Ferraris, #61 ahead of #54 and Porsche #86 in third ahead of AMR #98. Porsche #77 wasn’t on the track. But with only 0,4 of a second splitting the cars in the final practice, we can only say that everything is open in the GTE-Am, if you can take this test as an omen for the season.
AMR #98 had the fastest car top speed wise with 272 kph while Dempsey-Proton Racing #77 followed after with 269,3 kph. Gulf Racing #86 did 268 kph ahead of Spirit of Race #54 and Clearwater Racing with 262,8 kph.
Photo: JJ Media
The first round of FIA WEC 2017 will be run at Silverstone in less than 14 days.
