Ahmad Al Harthy topped the first qualifying session for BMW WRT as LMGT3 cars fought for a place in tomorrow’s Hyperpole session.
The Omani driver emerged fastest in the tightly packed LMGT3 field, keen to reach the top-12 threshold for a chance to fight for Hyperpole tomorrow.
AF Corse driver (#150 Ferrari 296 LMGT3) Custodio Toledo caused a red flag minutes before the end of the session, finalising the concluding running order.
Stephen Grove, after crashing the #63 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 during FP1, meant that 23 LMGT3s participated – still the highest count compared to the other two classes.
Andrew Gilbert (#60 Mercedes-AMG) initiated the first red flag after he ground to a halt at the top of the Dunlop Chicane (hill), and marshals extracted the car behind the tyre barriers.
The #46 WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO driver set a fastest lap time of 3:56.875, having fought for the top with Heart of Racing’s team principal, Ian James.
James’ fastest time of 3:57.083 put his #27 Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3 Evo in second place, as Ryan Hardwick of the #92 Manthey Porsche 911 LMGT3.R completed the top three cars (3:57.255).
Arnold Robin put the #78 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F LMGT3 in fourth after his 3:57.321 lap time, which was ahead of Tom van Rompuy’s #81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, who did a 3:57.690.
Stefano Gattuso claimed sixth place in the #88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang LMGT3 from his 3:57.827 time.
Jon Hui (3:57.960) of the #193 Tempesta Ferrari claimed seventh place, whilst United Autosports’ #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo driver James Cottingham took eighth position (3:58.106).
Francois Heriau finished in ninth position for the #21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 team, owing to a 3:58.116.
Proton misses on double Hyperpole appearance
Martin Berry in the sole-participating #61 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG claimed 11th (3:58.732). The other #95 United Autosports McLaren of Darren Leung (3:58.977) made it both cars into tomorrow’s Hyperpole session.
Regarding the positions which are fixed for the race, Bernardo Soasa of the #77 Proton Ford drove a 3:59.004 lap time.
Petru Umbrarescu’s 3:59.037 put him in 14th place with Takeshi Kimura claiming 15th in the Kessel Racing Ferrari (3:59.092).
Yasser Shahin’s 3:59.288 was best for 16th ahead of #33 TF Sport Corvette driver Ben Keating, piloting his 10th different machinery this year from throughout his time at Le Mans (3:59.379)
Derek de Boer of the #10 Racing Spirit of LeMan Aston Martin took 18th (3:59.472), Iron Dames’ #85 Porsche driver Celia Martin followed with her 4:00.026 time.
Antares Au of the #90 Manthey Porsche drove a 4:00.450 time for 20th, as #150 AF Corse Ferrari driver Toledo followed in 21st.
See the results here. Hyperpole qualifying commences at 20:00 tomorrow.
READ MORE – Cadillac’s Alex Lynn fastest in Hypercar qualifying at Le Mans, Louis Deletraz fastest in ‘Spike the Dragon’ during LMP2 qualifying
