Ginetta dominates first day in Shanghai

Le Success Handicap se ferait-il déjà ressentir ? Attendons encore un peu pour le savoir, mais cela n’aurait rien d’illogique. Pour rappel, les deux Toyota sont censées rouler à 2 »74 de leur meilleur chrono théorique, contre 0 »89 pour la Rebellion et 0 »65 pour la Ginetta n°5, alors que la n°6 n’est pas pénalisée du tout.

It was the latter, entrusted to Charlie Robertson-Michael Simpson-Guy Smith, who set the best time on the first day of testing for the 4 Hours of Shanghai in 1'48"127. She succeeds at the top of the timesheet to the Rebellion R13 n°1 of Gustavo Menezes-Norman Nato-Bruno Senna, best time of the first session in 1'48"761.

Relegated to more than a second this morning, the two Toyota TS050 Hybrids have regained some bite, but it is a safe bet that in pure performance, they will not be able to fight with the Non-Hybrid LM P1s. Ultimately, the #050 TS8 finished the day in second place in the cumulative standings, just 0” from the reference mark, and just ahead of the Rebellion, which completed a lap this afternoon in 061’1”41. The fact remains that the two Japanese would have carried out a qualification simulation…

In LM P2, Cool Racing confirmed its good intentions and set the best time in the two sessions, including a 1'49"704 in EL2. The trio Nicolas lapierre-Alexandre Coigny-Antoine Borga is ahead of the Oreca 07s of United Autosports and High Class Racing, while the leading fifth is completed by Jackie Chan DC Racing and Racing Team Nederland. Signatech Alpine is only seventh.

The AF Corse tandem / Ferrari subtilise la première place du GTE Pro à Porsche, meilleur temps des EL1 grâce à la 911 RSR n°91 de Bruni-Lietz. La 488 GTE n°71 de Molina-Rigon est à créditer d’un chrono de 2’00 »036, ce qui lui permet de devancer les deux Aston Martin Vantage AMR and the two Porsches, slightly stalled.

The Zuffenhausen firm will console itself with the best time in GTE Am signed by the #911 77 RSR fielded by Dempsey Proton Racing for Matt Campbell-Ricardo Pera-Christian Ried, which is ahead of the #90 Aston Martin Vantage AMR of TF Sport and the 911 RSR n°78 that the Prette father and son share with Vincent Abril. Handicapped by a 40 kg ballast following its success at Silverstone and its second place at Fuji, the No. 83 Ferrari of Collard-Nielsen-Perrodo could not do better than eighth in its class.

See you tomorrow for EL3 at 2:50 a.m. and qualifying at 7:00 a.m. (French time).