Siegel Sets Practice Pace for Inter Europol

Photo: Asian Le Mans Series

Nolan Siegel set the practice pace ahead of the Asian Le Mans Series season-closing 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi event at the wheel of the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 Gibson as FP1 times proved quickest in all three classes.

The American posted a 1:40.966 in the opening 90-minute session, which was not beaten for the rest of the day as he finished up just over a tenth quicker than the two crews that currently head the championship table.

Malthe Jakobsen in the No. 4 Crowdstrike by APR entry was second, just ahead of title rival Charles Milesi in the No. 47 Cetilar Racing Oreca.

Next up was Mikkel Jensen in the No. 5 United Autosports machine, who ensured all of the top four times were set in FP1.

Fifth quickest was FP2 pacesetter Tom Dillmann in the No. 25 APR machine with his 1:41.290 putting him less than half a tenth quicker than Tristan Vautier in the No. 30 RD Limited Oreca at the head of the FP2 standings.

While the opening session was twice red-flagged, there were no major interruptions during FP2 until the closing seconds when red flags flew.

The Friday LMP3 pace was set by Vic Stevens in the No. 8 Team Virage Ligier JS P325 Toyota with a 1:50.478 set during FP1.

Next up was Matteo Quintarelli in the No. 23 23Events Racing Ligier, almost three-and-a-half tenths adrift, although the Italian did head the FP2 leaderboard.

Third fastest was Pierre-Alexandre Provost in the No. 85 R-ace GP Duqueine D09 Toyota, again with a 1:50.929 posted in FP1.

The best GT effort from FP1 was almost toppled in the second session but Wayne Boyd’s 1:53.420 in the No.59 United Autosports McLaren 720S GT3 was good enough to pip FP2 pacesetter Steve Jans in the No. 9 GetSpeed Performance Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo by just 0.05 seconds.

However, Jans was actually only third quickest on the combined times in the closely-matched GT pack with Charlie Eastwood’s FP1 effort in the No. 34 Racing Team Turkey Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R good enough to retain second.

The GT3 ranks were reduced by one after the No. 99 JMR Corvette was withdrawn from the event following a crash in testing.

Qualifying for the pair of season-closing races is due to begin on Saturday at 10:10 a.m. local time (1:10 a.m. ET).

RESULTS: Free Practice 1

Source: Sports Car 365