The first official practice of the weekend for the European Le Mans Series was run in dry conditions, but with a light cloud cover over the Circuit Paul Ricard.
The practice barely got started before we had a Full Course Yellow due to United Autosports #3 losing the left rear wheel on their Ligier LMP3. The car was transported back to the pits on a flatbed, where the mechanics managed to get a new tire mounted, and they ended up doing a total of 9 laps in the session.
It didn’t last long, before we were into even bigger troubles. Luzich Racing Ferrari #51 driven by Nicklas Nielsen spilled coolant all over the track, so a red flag was needed, while the quick oil dry was applied to the track, and the session went back to green shortly after.
Photo: JJ Media
There were more troubles brewing in the paddock. Eurointernational #11 didn’t run at all, since both their ELMS and Michelin Le Mans Cup cars has been impounded. We will try to get more info on that matter.
A now it’s time for the more positive news.
DragonSpeed #21 with Ben Hanley was the fastest car in the LMP2 category, ahead of RLR MSport #43 and G-Drive Racing #26. High Class Racing #20 was the fastest car of all during the majority of the session, but ended up P5 – less than 0,1 of a second from P2. It’s really tight at the top!
Photo: JJ Media
Oregon Team #10 with Damiani Fioravanti confirmed their speed in LMP3 from earlier this week, being fastest ahead of Realteam Racing #9, M.Racing #19 and Ultimate #17. That made it a Norma 1-2-3-4, before United Autosports #2 got a Ligier into P5.
Photo: JJ Media
It was a total Porsche dominance in the GTE category. Dempsey Proton Racing #77 with Matteo Cairoli was fastest, ahead of Proton Competition #88 and Team Project 1 #56. Spirit of Race #55 was the best Ferrari in P4, followed by Kessel Racing Ferrari #83.
There will be a Bronze driver test later today, but otherwise the European Le Mans Series will be back on track tomorrow morning at 9.00 CET.
