First laps for Alonso at Bahrain Rookie Test

The first section of the Rookie Test on the Bahrain circuit took place on Sunday morning. As we revealed to you exclusively in issue 2140 of AUTOhebdo, Fernando Alonso made his debut aboard the Toyota TS050 Hybrid LM P1.

The double world champion Formula 1 completed 37 laps without encountering any major problems. Certainly, his best time (1'43''709) places him at the bottom of the LM P1 hierarchy, behind the other invited drivers, but it is rumored that Toyota engineers will adjust the prototype in Qualifying configuration (new tires and light fuel tank) for the second section of testing scheduled for the afternoon.

The recent Formula V8 3.5 winner Pietro Fittipaldi slipped into the seat of the Porsche 919 Hybrid during 22 laps (1'43''301) and was almost as fast as the LM P2 vice-champion Thomas laurent (1’43”272). The best overall time is the work of the experienced Timo Bernhard, in 1'40''244 in the Porsche 919 Hybrid.

In the LM P2 category, Konstantin Tereshchenko was the fastest aboard the TDS Racing Oreca in 1’48”902. Presenter of the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, the French Gabriel Aubry (Signatech Alpine) is only six tenths behind the Russian.

In GTE Pro, Alfonso Celis Jr (AF Corse, Ferrari 488) is relegated to almost two seconds behind the regulars in the Grand Touring category, Richard Lietz (Porsche 911 RSR) and Davide Rigon, freshly titled Saturday (Ferrari 488).