Portugal’s Antonio Felix da Costa set the fastest time of the opening 90-minute session for round two of the 2021 World Endurance Championship at the 8 Hours of Portimao, while Porsche was at the head the LMGTE classes.
Da Costa’s best lap of 1m33.752 in the JOTA LMP2 entry was just 0.029s faster than the chasing pack, led by the LMH category no36 Alpine Elf Matmut Alpine A480-Gibson, with the top ten covered by less than a second!
HYPERCAR
Alpine ELF Matmut lead the Hypercar class as Nicolas Lapierre peaks on a 1m33.781 as Les Bleues lead both Toyota TS010 Hybrids. Sebastien Buemi leads the chase with a time of 1m33.800s just 0.029s off Lapierre’s best.
No.7 Toyota is third with Kamui Kobayashi turning in a 1m33.807s. Glickenhaus Racing makes debut with striking Glickenhaus 0007 Hypercar design and Richard Westbrook peaks on a 1m34.789s to carve strong foundation for US entered team
LMGTE PRO
No.92 Porsche GT Team 911 RSR–19 driven by Kevin Estre sets scintillating quickest time of 1m40.227s to head sister car driven by Gimmi Bruni who sets a 1m40.389s best. AF Corse Ferrari 0.4s off Porsches as No.51 488 GTE Evo of James Calado and Alessandro PierGuidi leads No.52 car of Miguel Molina and Daniel Serra.
LMP2
Da Costa’s searing lap sees JOTA atop the class as well as overall pace setters. The Portuguese’s time of 1m33.752s sees him lead the Inter Europol Competition by 0.2s. Alex Brundle sets early session best as the Polish team shows improved form from Spa.
DragonSpeed USA place third as Ben Hanley sets a fastest time of 1m34.268s to make strong start for car he shares with Juan Pablo Montoya and Henrik Hedman. Reigning champions, United Autosports USA are fourth but just 0.026s off third place
LMGTE AM
LMGTE Am class is topped by the No.77 Dempsey-Proton Racing Porsche as Matt Campbell continues potent form by setting class best of 1m41.202s. Andrea Piccini places second in No.60 Iron Lynx Ferrari 488 GTE Evo just 0.224s behind Campbell. Third is the No.56 Team Project 1 Porsche which was re-built after Spa accident last month. Matteo Cairoli sets time of 1m41.484s.