The two Toyotas entered for the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans dominated the first qualifying practice on Thursday, the No.7 Conway / Kobayashi / Lopez ahead of the No.8 Buemi / Hartley / Nakajima.
According to the new qualifying format inaugurated this year, the six best times in each of the four categories will meet on Friday for a “hyperpole” which will decide the first positions on the starting grid, by category.
However, there are only five cars entered in the premier class (LMP1), including the two Toyota.
The Japanese manufacturer is aiming for a third consecutive victory at Le Mans this year and is only really opposed to three other prototypes entered in LMP1, including the two Rebellions entered by the eponymous Swiss team.
In LMP2, the Oreca of Racing Team Nerderland, shared by De Vries / Van Der Garde / Van Eerd, set the best time.
LMP2s are similar to LMP1s but less powerful.
It should be noted that the two LMP2s entered by the IDEC Racing team of industrialist Patrice Lafargue were unable to take part in these qualifying practices due to accidents which occurred during free practice held earlier Thursday.
They will therefore take the start, Saturday at 2:30 p.m., behind the last LMP2 qualified on time.
In LM GTE PRO, the Aston Martin of Soerensen / Thiim and Westbrook was the fastest while in LM GTE AM (where at least one driver must be considered as an amateur) this honor went to another Aston, that of Dalla Lana / Farfus / Gunn.
The hyperpole will take place on Friday between 11:30 am and 12 noon.
Ranking of the first qualifying practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans held on Thursday
LMP1 category:
1. Toyota TS050 Hybrid / José Maria Lopez (ARG): 3: 17.089
2. Toyota TS050 Hybrid / Brendon Hartley (NZL): 3: 17.336
3. Rebellion R13 / Bruno Senna (BRA) 3: 21.598
4. Enso Bykolles Racing Team / Tom Dillman (FRA) 3: 24.468
5. Rebellion R13 / Louis Delétraz (SUI) 3: 24.632
LMP2 category:
1. Oreca 07 / Nick de Vries (NED) 3: 26.648
2. Oreca 07 / Will Stevens (GBR) 3: 27.097
3. Oreca 07 / Paul Di Resta (GBR) 3: 27.148
4. Aurus 01 / Jean -Eric Vergne (FRA) 3: 27.366
5. Oreca 07 / Alex Brundle (GBR) 3: 27.598
6. Oreca 07 / Kenta Yamashita (JPN) 3: 27.611
LM GTE PRO category:
1. Aston Martin Vantage / Richard Westbrook (GBR) 3: 50.872
2. Aston Martin Vantage / Harry Tincknell (GBR) 3: 50.925
3. Ferrari 488 / Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA) 3: 51.244
4. Ferrari 488 / Davide Rigon (ITA) 3: 51.988
5. Porsche 911 RSR / Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) 3: 52.036
6. Porsche 911 RSR / Michael Christensen (DAN) 3: 52.142
Category LM GTE AM
1. Aston Martin Vantage / Augusto Farfus (BRA) 3: 52.778
2. Aston Martin Vantage / Charlie Eastwood (GBR) 3: 52.961
3. Porsche 911 RSR / Benjamin Barker (GBR) 3: 52.970
4. Ferrari 488 / Côme Ledogar (FRA) 3: 53.292
5. Porsche 911 RSR / Matt Campbell (AUS) 3: 53.334
6. Porsche 911 RSR / Matteo Cairoli (ITA) 3: 53.598
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