Glickenhaus puts on a show!

We suspected that this test day would not provide much insight into the level of forces present in the Hypercar category. The threat of an adjustment to the BOP (Balance of Performance) does not necessarily invite the teams to give up, but no one would have imagined finding the three teams within the same second at the end of 9 hours of running.

36 negrao André (bra), Stone Nicolas (fra), Vaxivière Matthieu (fra), Alpine Elf Matmut, Alpine A480 – Gibson © Frédéric Le Floc’h / DPPI

Glickenhaus therefore sets the best time thanks to an Olivier Pla of great days. The little Team as usual has not hidden anything and it is almost certain that this time of 3.29.115 is quite revealing of the true level of the 007 LMH. And this level is already excellent if we refer to the objective of 3.30 set by the ACO.

Alpine rolled out its roadmap with the method and seriousness that we recognize from Philippe Sinault's Team Signatech and did not have to keep much under control. The problem for the French team will rather be at the level of autonomy because theAlpine A480 has been heavily penalized since the last round. 2 fewer laps per relay can cause you to lose any chance of doing well.

Vaxivière Matthieu (fra), Alpine Elf Matmut, Alpine A480 – Gibson, Lapierre Nicolas (fra), Alpine Elf Matmut, Alpine A480 – Gibson © Julien Delfosse / DPPI

Toyota Finally, it has certainly released a little in certain sectors so as not to atomize the competition. The Japanese team will just have to watch like milk on the fire the beautiful and complex mechanics of the GR010 to complete the double clock tour.

07 Conway Mike (gbr), Kobayashi Kamui (jpn), Lopez Jose Maria (arg), Toyota Gazoo Racing, Toyota GR010 – Hybrid © Frédéric Le Floc'h / DPPI

In LMP2, Paul-Loup Chatin confirmed his peak speed by completing a superb lap in 07 in the #48 IDEC Sport Oreca 3.31.105 in front of the victorious Panis Racing at Monza in the last FIA round. WEC. Louis Deletraz, also very prominent all day, placed the #07 Oreca 41 of Team WRT in third place ahead of the United Autosports #23 and #22.

Chatin Paul-Loup (fra), IDEC Sport, Oreca 07 – Gibson © Julien Delfosse / DPPI

On the other hand, what should we think of this gap of less than two seconds between Hypercar and LMP2? The LMP2s have lost more than 6 seconds per lap since last year (3.24.528 for United Autosports), and it seems difficult to slow them down again before the first tests on Wednesday. It would therefore not be surprising to see an Oreca come and tickle the extractors of the Alpine and Glickenhaus on a regular basis and why not aim for victory overall as the reliability of Hugues de Chaunac's prototypes is legendary, which may not be the case for the new Hypercars...

In LMGTE Pro, the Corvette C8.Rs had a dark day, victims of repeated electronic problems. We will have to seriously work on the newly central engine and its environment to play a role that matches their ambitions.

63 Garcia Antonio (esp), Taylor Jordan (usa), Catsburg Nicky (nld), Corvette Racing, Chevrolet Corvette C8.R © Joao Filipe / DPPI

The Porsche came back into the game despite a little scare from Gimi Bruni at the end of the day. It's unusual enough for the Italian prodigy that we don't hold it against him. It remains to be seen whether the 911 RSRs will be able to keep a good pace over long stints, which was their Achilles heel in 2020.

91 Bruni Gianmaria (ita), Lietz Richard (aut), Makowiecki Frederic (fra), Porsche GT Team, Porsche 911 RSR © Joao Filipe / DPPI

In LMGTE Am, we witnessed a ballet of off-track passages and visits to gravel traps, fortunately without major consequences for the mechanics. Harry Tincknell in the #99 Porsche sets the best time and confirms his status as Proton Competition favorite.

99 Tincknell Harry (gbr), Inthraphuvasak Vutthikorn (tha), Latore Florian (fra), Proton Competition, Porsche 911 RSR © Frédéric Le Floc'h / DPPI

The top 5 in the general ranking at the end of the Test Day:

Glickenhaus 007 LMH #708 – 3.29.115
Toyota GR010 Hybrid #7 – 3.29.340
Toyota GR010 Hybrid #8 – 3.29.622
Alpine A470-Gibson #36 3.30.111
Glickenhaus 007 LMH #709 – 3.30.924

The best times by category:

LMP2: Oreca 07-Gibson #48 – Idec Sport – 3.31.105
LMGTE Pro: Porsche 911 RSR #79 – 3.52.938
LMGTE Am: Porsche 911 RSR-19 #99 – 3.54.472

The AUTOhebdo special correspondents will meet you on Wednesday for the first free practice session (14 p.m. – 17 p.m.) and the qualifying session (19 p.m. – 21 p.m.).