WEC teams complete two days of testing in Barcelona
The FIA WEC’s official pre-season test, otherwise known as The Prologue, is now complete with Toyota Gazoo Racing topping the timesheets at the end of the 16 hours of track time available in Barcelona.
José María López in the No. 7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID set the fastest lap during the fourth and final test session with a time of 1:29.141, 0.046s ahead of the sister No. 8 car. Both Toyotas completed a total of 917 laps over two days.
We have take-off for the final 40 minutes of the #Prologue2019...#Toyota #TS050 #PushingTheLimitsForBetter pic.twitter.com/Z1iNHRw67q
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@Toyota_Hybrid) July 24, 2019
Rebellion Racing and Team LNT both hit sub 1:30s lap times during the final test, with the No. 3 Rebellion R13 – Gibson just 0.267s behind the No. 8 Toyota. Indeed, at the end of The Prologue only 0.666s separated the top five LMP1 cars.
AF Corse and the Ferrari 488 GTE Evo set the benchmark time in the LMGTE Pro class during the third test session, with Miguel Molina surpassing his previous best with a new lap time of 1:43.593. Kevin Estre in the new Porsche 911 RSR-19 was second quickest, just 0.058s adrift of the No. 71 AF Corse Ferrari. The No. 97 Aston Martin Racing car set a best lap time of 1:44.953 and completed 79 laps with Marco Sørensen and Darren Turner taking turns at the wheel.
Racing Team Nederland’s Oreca 07 – Gibson equipped with new Goodyear tyres proved the car to beat in LMP2 as Nyck de Vries clocked a time of 1:31.659 in the final test. WEC newcomer United Autosports was second-quickest with Scotsman Paul di Resta just 0.057s behind de Vries in another Oreca. Brazil’s André Negrão in the No. 36 Signatech Alpine Elf entry was third quickest.
Team Project 1 was the fastest out of the LMGTE Am crews, the No. 57 Porsche 911 RSR setting a benchmark time of 1:44.467 this morning. Dempsey-Proton Racing’s No. 88 Porsche was second quickest, setting a late session best lap time of 1:44.523. Third fastest was the No. 56 Team Project 1 entry with Matteo Cairoli at the wheel. Gulf Racing and AF Corse were fourth and fifth respectively in lap times.
The WEC will now take a short break before the season-opener at Silverstone takes place in just over one month’s time (30 August – 1 September).
Full results and times from The Prologue can be found HERE.
