The Castellet 240 – United Autosports still on pole!

The qualifying session for the third round of the 2020 seasonELMS actually started almost 50 minutes late. So on his launch lap, actor Michael Fassbender was surprised by the light rain falling on the Var circuit. After turning wide, its Porsche 911 RSR n°93 spun and hit the piles of tires on the other side of the track very violently. As the rail was damaged, the session was delayed.

The Proton Competition team had a very mixed end to the morning as it subsequently took pole position in the GTE thanks to the #77, driven for the occasion by Alessio Picariello. The Belgian, who shares the wheel with Michele Beretta and Christian Ried, was ahead of Nicklas Nielsen and Daniel Serra by 0"2 and 0"3, respectively registered on the Ferrari 488 GTE Evo n°60 from Iron Lynx and n°51 from AF Corse.

Although some competitors in the LM P3 category attempted to set a time with slick tires, it quickly became clear that it was preferable to use grooved tires. Thanks to David Droux, Real Team Racing (behind which TDS Racing is hidden) scores its first pole in the category. The #320 Ligier JS P8 was 0”357 ahead of that of the RLR MSport and 1”6 and 1”9 ahead of the two models entered by United Autosports.

Michelin Champion Le Mans Outgoing Cup, DKR Engineering failed by persevering with slick tires. Laurents Hörr (Duqueine D08 n°4) could not do better than the 11th time.

Finally, as is customary, it was the LM P2 who had the honor of closing the session. But after a little over four minutes, another red flag following the exit from the track of Anders Fjordbach, aligned with the 0reca 07 of High Class Racing.

The conditions are very delicate, the rain increases and several drivers are trapped, notably Jonathan Hirschi (Oreca 07 n°30 / Duqueine Team) twice. The Swiss is on the attack but he will make up for it by finally signing off the session with the third fastest time.

And ahead, whether it’s sunny, windy, snowing or raining, United Autosports continues to lay down the law. Author of a remarkable lap completed in 1'56"951, Filipe Albuquerque took a new pole position, his third in as many races this season. The Portuguese was only 0 ahead of the #010 G-Drive Racing Aurus 01 of Jean-Eric Vergne, author of a brilliant comeback in preparation for the 26 Hours of Le Mans.

We will also note the very good performance of Loïc duval. The Frenchman – who defends the interests of a sluggish Algarve Pro Racing team – moves up to the second row. The winner of the 2013 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is above all – and by several seconds – the best representative of the Goodyear clan.

Please note, the start of the race is scheduled for this evening, at 18:30 p.m., with a night race.