FP3: Di Resta quickest at Portimão; Porsche tops LMGTE Pro times
Paul di Resta again set the pace in the final 60 minute free practice session for round two of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship at the 8 Hours of Portimão on Saturday afternoon.
Porsche reasserted its authority in the LMGTE Pro class, while Alpine Elf Matmut maintained its hold at the top of the Hypercar class.
The session at a glance:
Hypercar
• Alpine Elf Matmut still on top in Hypercar as Nicolas Lapierre again places himself at the top of the timings screens as he sets a best lap of 1m31.886
• A superb 1m31.916s lap by Glickenhaus Racing’s Richard Westbrook continues strong debut pace from all-new Glickenhaus 007 Hypercar design after US team recovers from technical issues in earlier session
• Brendon Hartley is again fastest in the No.8 Toyota GR010-Hybrid for Toyota Gazoo Racing with a 1m32.064s to place third in Hypercar
• The No.7 Toyota places fourth with Jose Maria Lopez achieving a fastest lap of 1m32.459s
FP3 is go! Last practice session has started, live timing available on https://t.co/npNU9AKkHH #WEC #8HPortimao pic.twitter.com/SyXcyZ3IWg
— WEC (@FIAWEC) June 12, 2021
LMGTE Pro
• Close fight in LMGTE Pro sees Porsche claw back to the top of the times as Kevin Estre sets fastest lap of class so far in cooler conditions and peaks on a 1m38.082s lap
• Gianmaria Bruni is second with the No.91 Porsche 911 RSR-19 on a 1m38.850s but 0.8s in arrears to sister car
• AF Corse Ferrari place third and fourth as work continues on tyres stints for tomorrow's race. Daniel Serra laps just 0.1s behind Bruni with a best effort of 1m38.953s.
• Serra’s best is 0.2s faster than the No.51 cars best, which is set by James Calado on 1m39.919s
LMP2
• Di Resta sets another stunning lap time with the United Autosports USA Oreca-Gibson to lead the overall times again with a rapid 1m31.628s
• JOTA place second as Antonio Felix da Costa stops the clocks 1m31.765s, just 0.137s off di Resta’s best time
• Inter Europol Competition team continue strong form with third placed time in LMP2 as Alex Brundle again excels with 1m31.998s best
LMGTE Am
• LMGTE Am class is once again lead by the No.56 Team Project 1 Porsche as Matteo Cairoli takes 0.1s out of his best morning time and sets class pace with a 1m39.186s lap
• No.77 Dempsey Proton second as Matt Campbell claims a best of 1m39.577
• AF Corse deny Porsche clean sweep as Giancarlo Fisichella places third in No.54 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Qualifying is next up! First up will be LMGTE Am and Pro classes at 18h00 local time in Portugal followed by Hypercar and LMP2 at 18h20.
