The 60 cars due to take the start of the 84th running of the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship completed eight hours of practice on the 13.6km Circuit des 24 Heures on Sunday 5 June.
This rehearsal before the race on 18-19 June gives the teams the opportunity to fine-tune their set-ups, make sure all staff are properly briefed, and see where they stand in relation to their rivals.
Before the test, the 59 cars lined up for the traditional group photo, with the AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE, LMGTE Pro of Bruni, Calado and Guidi missing from the line up.
When the session began at 09:00, most teams sent their cars out straight away to test their settings and collect data for their technicians and engineers.
It only took a few minutes to “rubber in” the track and for drivers to begin setting respectable times right from the start.
At 09:15 Marcel Fässler set a sub 03:30 lap, which was subsequently beaten by both Romain Dumas and Mark Webber, who ended the morning session on 03:22.555.
In the end Lucas di Grassi clocked the fastest lap in the #8 Audi, on 03:21.375.
That is not as quick as Neel Jani’s pole position time of 03:16.887 but times improved by four seconds between the Test Day and the qualifying sessions last year.
Performance aside, at the end of the Test Day, it is clear that Audi, Porsche and Toyota are neck and neck.
The fastest Toyota is only two seconds behind di Grassi’s best lap. As far as reliability is concerned the #7 Audi seems to have suffered from a jammed shock absorber.
Of the 23 entrants in the LM P2 class, Oreca came out on top with Tristan Gommendy’s time of 3:37.397.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Michael Shank Racing ended the day with its Ligier-Nissan going off at the Michelin chicane with Oswaldo Negri Jr at the wheel.
The accident brought Test Day to a premature end as the safety barrier could not be repaired within the 30 minutes that remained.
There are 13 cars in LMGTE Pro and all eyes were on the armada of four Fords making their big comeback to Le Mans. However it was Antonio Garcia in a Corvette (3:55.122) that stole the show.
Finally, in LMGTE Am, Larbre Compétition’s Corvette finished the day at the top of the standings.
The French team also used Test Day to put two drivers, Jean-Philippe Belloc and Nick Catsburg, through their paces as one of them will stand in for Paolo Ruberti, who fractured his spine in a recent accident at Hockenheim.
The next date in the diary for the 180 drivers will be the traditional Scrutineering sessions in Le Mans city centre on 12–13 June.
The public will have an opportunity to get up close to the 60 cars as they arrive in Place de la République where they will be thoroughly examined by the scrutineers.
Test Day results
1 8 Audi Sport Team Joest L. DI GRASSI / L. DUVAL / O. JARVIS Audi R18 LMP1 H M 3:21.375 65 86 243.6
2 1 Porsche Team T. BERNHARD / M. WEBBER / B. HARTLEY Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 H M 3:22.270 49 90 +0.895 +0.895 242.6
3 2 Porsche Team R. DUMAS / N. JANI / M. LIEB Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 H M 3:22.334 22 83 +0.959 +0.064 242.5
4 7 Audi Sport Team Joest M. FÄSSLER / A. LOTTERER / B. TRÉLUYER Audi R18 LMP1 H M 3:22.588 49 52 +1.213 +0.254 242.2
5 5 Toyota Gazoo Racing A. DAVIDSON / S. BUEMI / K. NAKAJIMA / A. WURZ Toyota TS050 – Hybrid LMP1 H M 3:23.197 39 82 +1.822 +0.609 241.5
6 6 Toyota Gazoo Racing S. SARRAZIN / M. CONWAY / K. KOBAYASHI / A. WURZ Toyota TS050 – Hybrid LMP1 H M 3:23.721 28 97 +2.346 +0.524 240.8
7 13 Rebellion Racing M. TUSCHER / A. IMPERATORI / D. KRAIHAMER Rebellion R-One – AER LMP1 D 3:27.062 26 89 +5.687 +3.341 237.0
8 12 Rebellion Racing N. PROST / N. HEIDFELD / N. PIQUET JR Rebellion R-One – AER LMP1 D 3:27.117 24 84 +5.742 +0.055 236.9
9 4 Bykolles Racing Team S. TRUMMER / O. WEBB / P. KAFFER CLM P1/01 – AER LMP1 D 3:33.025 69 77 +11.650 +5.908 230.3
10 33 Eurasia Motorsport J. PU / T. GOMMENDY / N. DE BRUIJN Oreca 05 – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:36.690 63 74 +15.315 +3.665 226.4
11 36 Signatech Alpine G. MENEZES / N. LAPIERRE / S. RICHELMI Alpine A460 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:37.397 27 81 +16.022 +0.707 225.7
12 26 G-Drive Racing R. RUSINOV / W. STEVENS / R. RAST / A. BRUNDLE Oreca 05 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:37.503 40 66 +16.128 +0.106 225.6
13 38 G-Drive Racing S. DOLAN / J. DENNIS / G. VAN DER GARDE Gibson 015S – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:37.581 69 89 +16.206 +0.078 225.5
14 44 Manor T. GRAVES / M. RAO / R. MERHI Oreca 05 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:38.383 18 61 +17.008 +0.802 224.7
15 47 KCMG T. MATSUDA / M. HOWSON / R. BRADLEY Oreca 05 – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:38.486 42 70 +17.111 +0.103 224.6
16 46 Thiriet By Tds Racing P. THIRIET / M. BECHE / R. HIRAKAWA Oreca 05 – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:38.581 55 72 +17.206 +0.095 224.5
17 49 Michael Shank Racing J. PEW / O. NEGRI JR / L. VANTHOOR LIGIER JS P2 – HONDA LMP2 D 3:38.589 74 75 +17.214 +0.008 224.5
18 35 Baxi DC Racing Alpine D. CHENG / H. TUNG / N. PANCIATICI Alpine A460 –
Nissan LMP2 D 3:39.298 31 69 +17.923 +0.709 223.7
19 27 SMP Racing N. MINASSIAN / M. MEDIANI / A. WIRTH BR01 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:39.804 35 61 +18.429 +0.506 223.2
20 23 Panis Barthez Competition F. BARTHEZ / P. CHATIN / T. BURET / S. GACHET LIGIER JS P2 – NISSAN LMP2 M 3:39.914 45 70 +18.539 +0.110 223.1
21 37 SMP Racing V. PETROV / V. SHAYTAR / K. LADYGIN BR01 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:39.966 26 62 +18.591 +0.052 223.1
22 31 Extreme Speed Motorsports L. DERANI / C. CUMMING LIGIER JS P2 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:40.239 49 51 +18.864 +0.273 222.8
23 42 Strakka Racing N. LEVENTIS / D. WATTS / J. KANE Gibson 015S – Nissan LMP2 D 3:41.371 46 82 +19.996 +1.132 221.6
24 41 Greaves Motorsport M. ROJAS / J. CANAL / J. LANCASTER LIGIER JS P2 – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:41.625 64 77 +20.250 +0.254 221.4
25 40 Krohn Racing T. KROHN / N. JÖNSSON LIGIER JS P2 – NISSAN LMP2 M 3:41.902 30 62 +20.527 +0.277 221.1
26 48 Murphy Prototypes B. KEATING / J. BLEEKEMOLEN / M. GOOSSENS Oreca 03R – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:42.537 50 58 +21.162 +0.635 220.5
27 43 RGR Sport by Morand R. GONZALEZ / B. SENNA / F. ALBUQUERQUE LIGIER JS P2 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:42.568 30 46 +21.193 +0.031 220.4
28 25 Algarve Pro Racing M. MUNEMANN / C. HOY / A. PIZZITOLA LIGIER JS P2 – NISSAN LMP2 D 3:42.592 48 88 +21.217 +0.024 220.4
29 28 Pegasus Racing I. TAITTINGER / R. STRIEBIG / L. ROUSSEL Morgan – NISSAN LMP2 M 3:42.634 66 72 +21.259 +0.042 220.4
30 30 Extreme Speed Motorsports S. SHARP / E. BROWN / J. VAN OVERBEEK LIGIER JS P2 – Nissan LMP2 D 3:44.193 64 66 +22.818 +1.559 218.8
31 34 Race Performance N. LEUTWILER / S. NAKANO / J. WINSLOW / D. KOUTSOUMIDIS Oreca 03R – JUDD LMP2 D 3:45.455 49 74 +24.080 +1.262 217.6
32 22 SO24 ! By Lombard Racing V. CAPILLAIRE / J. COLEMAN / E. MARIS / O. LOMBARD LIGIER JS P2 – JUDD LMP2 D 3:45.587 34 52 +24.212 +0.132 217.5
33 84 SRT41 By OAK Racing F. SAUSSET / C. TINSEAU / J. BOUVET Morgan LMP2 – NISSAN CDNT M 3:48.253 43 54 +26.878 +2.666 215.0
34 63 Corvette Racing – GM J. MAGNUSSEN / A. GARCIA / R. TAYLOR Chevrolet Corvette C7.R LMGTE Pro M 3:55.122 62 73 +33.747 +6.869 208.7
35 91 Porsche Motorsport P. PILET / K. ESTRE / N. TANDY Porsche 911 RSR (2016) LMGTE Pro M 3:55.402 53 61 +34.027 +0.280 208.4
36 92 Porsche Motorsport F. MAKOWIECKI / E. BAMBER / J. BERGMEISTER Porsche 911 RSR (2016) LMGTE Pro M 3:55.691 19 70 +34.316 +0.289 208.2
37 64 Corvette Racing – GM O. GAVIN / T. MILNER / J. TAYLOR Chevrolet Corvette C7.R LMGTE Pro M 3:55.837 54 81 +34.462 +0.146 208.0
38 51 AF Corse G. BRUNI / J. CALADO / A. PIER GUIDI Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE Pro M 3:55.900 34 52 +34.525 +0.063 208.0
39 69 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA R. BRISCOE / R. WESTBROOK Ford GT LMGTE Pro M 3:56.039 53 55 +34.664 +0.139 207.9
40 71 AF Corse D. RIGON / S. BIRD / A. BERTOLINI Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE Pro M 3:56.115 35 54 +34.740 +0.076 207.8
41 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK O. PLA / S. MÜCKE / B. JOHNSON Ford GT LMGTE Pro M 3:56.167 68 76 +34.792 +0.052 207.8
42 82 Risi Competizione G. FISICHELLA / T. VILANDER / M. MALUCELLI Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE Pro M 3:56.170 46 51 +34.795 +0.003 207.8
43 95 Aston Martin Racing N. THIIM / M. SØRENSEN / D. TURNER Aston Martin Vantage V8 LMGTE Pro D 3:56.191 43 80 +34.816 +0.021 207.7
44 97 Aston Martin Racing R. STANAWAY / F. REES / J. ADAM Aston Martin Vantage V8 LMGTE Pro D 3:56.523 34 55 +35.148 +0.332 207.4
45 67 Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK M. FRANCHITTI / A. PRIAULX / H. TINCKNELL Ford GT LMGTE Pro M 3:56.596 70 74 +35.221 +0.073 207.4
46 68 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA J. HAND / D. MÜLLER Ford GT LMGTE Pro M 3:56.630 41 43 +35.255 +0.034 207.3
47 77 Dempsey – Proton Racing R. LIETZ / M. CHRISTENSEN / P. ENG / K. BACHLER Porsche 911 RSR (2016) LMGTE Pro M 3:56.990 26 62 +35.615 +0.360 207.0
48 50 Larbre Competition Y. YAMAGISHI / P. RAGUES / J. BELLOC / N. CATSBURG Chevrolet Corvette C7-Z06 LMGTE Am M 3:57.999 48 75 +36.624 +1.009 206.2
49 55 AF Corse D. CAMERON / M. GRIFFIN / A. SCOTT Ferrari 458 Italia LMGTE Am M 3:58.869 47 81 +37.494 +0.870 205.4
50 62 Scuderia Corsa W. SWEEDLER / T. BELL / J. SEGAL Ferrari 458 Italia LMGTE Am M 3:58.981 25 53 +37.606 +0.112 205.3
51 61 Clearwater Racing W. MOK / K. SAWA / R. BELL Ferrari 458 Italia LMGTE Am M 3:59.300 81 83 +37.925 +0.319 205.0
52 83 AF Corse F. PERRODO / E. COLLARD / R. AGUAS Ferrari F458 Italia LMGTE Am M 3:59.313 76 78 +37.938 +0.013 205.0
53 98 Aston Martin Racing P. DALLA LANA / P. LAMY / M. LAUDA Aston Martin Vantage V8 LMGTE Am D 3:59.337 25 78 +37.962 +0.024 205.0
54 78 KCMG C. RIED / W. HENZLER / J. CAMATHIAS / K. BACHLER Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE Am M 3:59.374 +37.999 +0.037 205.0
55 86 Gulf Racing M. WAINWRIGHT / A. CARROLL / B. BARKER Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE Am M 3:59.433 60 68 +38.058 +0.059 204.9
56 60 Formula Racing J. LAURSEN / M. MAC / C. NIELSEN Ferrari 458 Italia LMGTE Am M 4:00.415 42 82 +39.040 +0.982 204.1
57 89 Proton Competition C. MACNEIL / L. KEEN / M. MILLER / G. JEANNETTE Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE Am M 4:01.258 69 72 +39.883 +0.843 203.4
58 88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing K. AL QUBAISI / D. HEINEMEIER HANSS / P. LONG Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE Am M 4:01.773 28 71 +40.398 +0.515 202.9
59 57 Team AAI J. O’CONNELL / O. BRYANT / M. PATTERSON Chevrolet Corvette C7-Z06 LMGTE Am M 4:02.109 44 52 +40.734 +0.336 202.7
60 99 Aston Martin Racing A. HOWARD / L. GRIFFIN / G. HIRSCH Aston Martin V8 VANTAGE LMGTE Am M 4:03.896 39 49 +42.521 +1.787 201.2 By Melissa Warren
