Cadillac and Ferrari dominate Day 1 Free Practices

WECHyperCar

Feb 27

Both free practices today were dominated by Cadillac and Ferrari with Ferrari #51 posting the fastest lap during FP1 and Cadillac #12 being the fastest of FP2 which turned out to be the fastest session of the day for many drivers. In cooler conditions, 17 drivers, including Harry Tincknell in the #007 Aston Martin, were faster than Calado’s morning session’s benchmark.

Alex Lynn in Cadillac #12 fastest

During Wednesday evening’s second session, Alex Lynn recorded a best time of 1:39.601 aboard the #12 Cadillac V-Series.R Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA which was 2.522 seconds faster than James Calado’s fastest lap during the morning practice.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” reflected Alex Lynn. “Both Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA cars are in a good window, so the rest of the event is going to be about executing and delivering on what we know we can do.” Source: FIA WEC

Fuoco with Ferrari #50 second

Antonio Fuoco aboard the #50 Ferrari 499P was second fastest of the evening session (and the day) in 1:39.906, 0.305 seconds slower than Lynn’s fastest lap. Both drivers were the only ones under the 1:40” mark today.

Frijns gets BMW in P3

Robin Frijns, in the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, was third-fastest as he did set a 1:40.075. We spoke with Robin Frijns between the two sessions.

CRR: “When you drove your fastest lap during the Porlogue did you feel, while driving it, it was such a good lap?”

Robin Frijns: “The grip changes so fast here that it is difficult to have an overall feeling. At turn 1, I had very good grip with the front wheels, then it changed to the rear ones. So depending on the section of the track I had to face different conditions. Driving a fast lap, is a tricky exercise in Lusail International Circuit as the tires temperature change from one section to the other.”

CRR: “Why were the fastest lap much slower this morning for everyone?”

Robin Frijns: “Because of the impact of the wind as the track goes North-East to South-West also East to West, when the wind comes from the side, it impacts the roadholding”.

CRR: “Are you looking for a race win Friday?”

Robin Frijns: “Cadillac and Ferrari seem very strong here. We are fast but are not able to drive too close behind another car. The aerodynamics of the car is great on its own but not when we are following another car very close.”

📷© Luc Warnotte at Lusail. #20 BMW M Hybrid V8.

Sebastien Bourdais gets second Cadillac fourth

📷© Luc Warnotte at Lusail. #38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais posted the fourth best time of the day in #38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac after being second-quickest to Ferrari AF Corse’s James Calado in FP1.

Giovinazzi fifth with second Ferrari

📷© Luc Warnotte at Lusail. #51 Ferrari 499P

Antonio Giovinazzi. was fifth with #51 Ferrari while his teammates did not improve their Free Practice 1 fastest lap: Calado was first and Pier Guidi third.

Qatar 1812 km schedule.

The starting grid will be determined in qualifying and Hyperpole on Thursday (5.40pm local, 3.40pm CET) while the race starts at 2pm (midday CET) on Friday 28 February.