The Frenchman shares the ca. 500 kW (680 PS) hybrid prototype in Japan along with his compatriot Mathieu Jaminet. Each are former Porsche Juniors. Within the sister automotive, Kévin Estre missed out on a high ten spot throughout qualifying. The Frenchman and his Belgian teammate Laurens Vanthoor will begin the six-hour race from seventeenth. Fielding the third Porsche 963, buyer group Proton Competitors will head into spherical seven of the FIA WEC season from 18th place.
In contrast with Friday’s follow periods, qualifying was held in barely cooler circumstances, with 24°C air temperature and monitor temperatures of 37°C. Within the LMGT3 class, American Ryan Hardwick superior to the Hyperpole session for the highest ten after setting the sixth-fastest time in Manthey 1st Phorm’s Porsche 911 GT3 R. His Italian teammate Riccardo Pera then secured fifth on the grid with a lap time of 1:40.414 minutes. Manufacturing unit driver Richard Lietz from Austria completes the trio within the ca. 416 kW (565 PS) Weissach-built GT3 automotive. The Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R missed out on reaching the Hyperpole, with Célia Martin qualifying seventeenth. The Frenchwoman shares the automotive with Switzerland’s Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting from Denmark.
“Qualifying was extremely shut, with the primary 17 vehicles separated by only one second. It’s a disgrace for Kévin Estre – he tried his greatest however narrowly missed out. Our No. 5 Porsche with Julien Andlauer made it into Hyperpole, ending eight tenths off the quickest time. For tomorrow, although, we will depend on a powerful race efficiency – we all know our automotive is aggressive,” summarised Urs Kuratle, Director Manufacturing unit Motorsport LMDh. “Including to the problem is the unpredictable climate. We’re hoping for blended circumstances, which normally play to our benefit, however we’re assured even when it stays dry.”
“Clearly we’re upset that our No. 6 race automotive didn’t get the chance to tug a powerful lap collectively. It’s beginning place will not be consultant of the true velocity,” underlined Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Julien did job to get into Hyperpole. Our potential right now was most likely to get to 3rd or fourth place. We’re proud of our race tempo. I’m trying ahead to seeing the place we end tomorrow.“
Spherical seven of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will get underway on Sunday, 28 September, at 11:00 am native time (4:00 am CEST). In Germany, Sport 1 will stream the six-hour race freed from cost on-line and in addition broadcast components of it on TV. Further protection is obtainable by way of the FIA WEC’s paid reside providers (fiawec.tv and app, together with reside timing) and on Eurosport.
Driver feedback after the qualifying
Julien Andlauer (Porsche 963 #5): “Qualifying achieved! I feel we ready very well for the race through the free follow periods. Fourth within the first phase and seventh in Hyperpole – I simply couldn’t fairly pull all of it collectively. Our Porsche has big potential, and we’ve maximised nearly every little thing. With the six-hour race doubtlessly experiencing blended climate, we must be in competition for a top-five end and even the rostrum if every little thing goes easily.”
Kévin Estre (Porsche 963 #6): “This was most likely the worst qualifying of my WEC profession. I simply couldn’t get a clear lap and wasn’t capable of push the automotive any sooner. There’s nonetheless some setup work to do, and I additionally want to enhance. Julien Andlauer has proven what the Porsche is able to. We’re now specializing in a radical evaluation.”
Nico Varrone (Porsche 963 #99): “We lacked the required efficiency at Fuji throughout all of the free follow periods. After making some changes, our Porsche 963 is now working in a greater efficiency window. Issues have improved for the reason that begin, however we’re nonetheless not aggressive sufficient. Extra evaluation and work are wanted to search out further tempo for tomorrow.”
Riccardo Pera (Porsche 911 GT3 R #92): “Fifth on the grid is a pleasant end result and provides us a powerful beginning place for the race, which is what actually counts. We’re centered on the championship, the place we lead by 19 factors. Which means staying sensible by way of any challenges and getting by way of cleanly. I’m assured we now have the bundle to just do that.”
Rahel Frey (Porsche 911 GT3 R #85): “We’re positively not proud of qualifying. Free follow went nice, every little thing labored effectively, and we may actually have achieved extra, however right now Célia didn’t really feel comfy with the automotive – we have to determine why. Our tempo was robust at Le Mans, São Paulo, and Austin, however sadly, we’re ranging from the again, which makes issues difficult. Now it’s our likelihood to indicate once more what we will do, and we belief the group to again us with a strong technique. Tomorrow, something is feasible.”
Qualifying end result
Hypercar class:
1. Lynn/Nato/Stevens (GBR/FRA/GBR), Cadillac #12, 1.28,236 minutes
2. Bamber/Bourdais/Button (NZL/FRA/GBR), Cadillac #38, 1.28,675 minutes
3. Riberas/Sörensen (ESP/DEN), Aston Martin #009, 1.28,705 minutes
7. Andlauer/Jaminet (FRA/FRA), Porsche 963 #5, 1.29,031 minutes
17. Estre/Vanthoor (FRA/BEL), Porsche 963 #6, 1.29,920 minutes
18. Jani/Pino/Varrone (CHE/CHL/ARG), Porsche 963 #99, 1.30,085 minutes
LMGT3 class:
1. Barrichello/McIntosh/Hasse Clot (BRA/USA/FRA), Aston Martin #10, 1.39,981 minutes
2. Leung/Galael/Sato (GBR/INA/JPN), McLaren #95, 1.40,011 minutes
3. Cottingham/Baud/Saucy (GBR/FRA/CHE), McLaren #59, 1.40,013 minutes
5. Hardwick/Lietz/Pera (USA/AUT/ITA), Porsche 911 GT3 R #92, 1.40,414 minutes
17. Frey/Gatting/Martin (CHE/DNK/FRA), Porsche 911 GT3 R #85, 1.42,284 minutes
Full outcomes and championship standings: fiawec.alkamelsystems.com.
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