Under blue skies and 35 degree temperatures, the opening session of the 4 Hours of Imola weekend saw the no22 United Autosports Oreca set the fastest time, with Ben Hanley posting a 1m31.878 lap, 0.266s ahead of the no25 Algarve Pro Racing of Theo Pourchaire.
24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 winners Inter Europol Competition were third fastest with Nick Yelloly posting a 1m32.247 lap, 0.369s behind the leading car and 0.26s ahead of the no9 Iron-Lynx-Proton. Championship leaders in the no18 IDEC Sport were 10th fastest overall but only 0.78s off the leaders’ best time.
The top car in LMP2 Pro/Am was the no29 TDS Racing Oreca after Mathias Beche set a 1m32.491, which was good enough for 7th overall, with their nearest rivals, the no77 Proton Competition, back in 11th overall with Bent Viscaal setting a 1.32.736. Championship leaders Niesen Racing finished the 90-minute session in 20thoverall with a 1m33.507 and reigning champions AF Corse finished 4thin class with a 1m33.172.
The LMP3 field was headed by the no12 WTM by Rinaldi Racing Duqueine, with Griffin Peebles leading the way with a 1m39.787, just 0.064s ahead of the second fastest car the no68 M Racing Liger of Quentin Antonel. Championship leaders CLX Motorsport took the chequered flag in third with Theodor Jensen setting the cars best lap of 1m39.851, which was an identical time to the second placed no68 Ligier.
The no82 TF Sport Corvette set the pace in the LMGT3 category with Charlie Eastwood setting a 1m42.827, just 0.187s ahead of the no51 AF Corse Ferrari in second spot.
The no57 Kessel Racing Ferrari was third quickest after Daniel Serra posted a 1m43.021, just 0.007s behind the no51 Ferrari and 0.033s ahead of the no23 United Autosports McLaren in 4th place at the chequered flag.
The second Free Practice session will take place tomorrow morning at 10h50, followed by qualifying for the 4 Hours of Imola which starts with LMGT3 at 14h30.
CLICK HERE to see the result of Free Practice 1 for the 4 Hours of Imola.
