Last Minute Surges Create an Intense WEC Qualifying

It was a day of last minute surges in qualifying, seeing the Porsches run strong, taking pole in LMP1 and LMGTE Am. Aston Martin took pole in the Pro series whilst, after a horrific start that almost saw KCMG not even taking part in qualifying, the LMP2 team stormed the field to clench a last-minute pole in class. There was some anxiety about whether or not the team would be allowed to keep their pole position as they exceeded the track limits at some points during fast laps, something that is being heavily scrutinised this weekend, but they will take the first slot of the LMP2 cars this weekend, further aiding their championship campaign.

The Porsche #17 appeared to have pole position in the bag. They had been quickest through most of the practise sessions and managed to go a full second quicker than the closest Audi behind them. Trouble seemed to have struck for the #18 after the restart (the red flag was brought out by car #47 which had fuel pressure issues as it tried to leave pit lane) and the sister Porsche’s time only put it forth fastest. However, after the second run Mark Lieb had managed to do enough to jump the two Audi’s for second on the grid. But that clearly wasn’t enough for car #18. The Audi’s went out on a final third run but both Porsches seemed to be finished for the session until Jani took back to the track in #18 determined to find the time differential to take pole position. And he did – going merely 0.164s quicker than the sister car. The drivers of car #17 didn’t look too pleased about their sister car’s last attack for pole, considering they were sat on pit lane when the chequered flag dropped. Mark Webber especially looks highly dissatisfied with the final result.

LMP2’s most impressive performance was from the KCMG team. Bringing out the early red flag in the session due to the fuel pressure issues they suffered as they left the pit lane it didn’t look like the team would be able to rejoin the action and actually qualify. But the car was able to be restarted track side and made its way back to the pits, allowed to commence in qualifying as it had wanted to. The issues gave the G-Drive cars hope that they may be able to capitalise on gaining an advantage for the race but it was to no avail. Sam Bird qualified the #26 Go-Drive second, with teammates in car #28 in third by the small margin of three tenths.

The LMGTE qualifying saw quite a battle in both the Pro and Am series. The AF Corse cars in the Pro series never seemed to be a challenge or a threat as they scrapped over the bottom position of the class. Bruni qualified the #51 just ahead of teammates in the #71 but they seemed to be struggling for the pace the Porsches and Aston Martins had. After the first runs it looked to be Porsche #91 that had the advantage. But the driver change saw Richie Stanaway take to the wheel looking with a point to prove. He blitzed the lap, setting the fastest lap of the session and then going on to improve it, happily securing Aston Martin Racing #99 pole position in class. The #91 Porsche will line up just behind them, having set an average time only 0.2 seconds behind the average of the Aston Martin.

The Am class saw a historical moment as the #77 Dempsey car took it’s first ever pole position. Again, the result was snatched at the last moment with pilot at the time Long managing to cross the line just before the chequered flag fell, giving himself an extra lap to try and close the gap on Hall in the #96 Aston Martin, to of which he succeeded, going a mere tenth up on the Aston’s average time. Dempsey was over the moon with the result. Ferrari had shown their hand in the beginning of the session but it appeared the attack of the Dempsey car and the #96 Aston were too much for it to fathom. #83 starts third in class with sister car #72 starting fifth. Earl Bamber had a torrid session as he failed to even set a qualifying time. An issue with the car saw them park it not long after the session had started. They will start at the back of the grid tomorrow.

With so much potential in the race it really is one that should not be missed. Porsche #17 will be after the front running spot they had believed was theirs at the end of qualifying, but how much will tyre degradation affect their race? The Audi’s are better at double stinting the tyres than the Porsche, so will that contribute to the end result? Can the KCMG team extend their championship lead at the end of this race or can the G-Drive cars attempt to reel them back in? Will the Porsches be able to make an attack on the fast moving Astons in the Pro class? Is there anything AF Corse can do? And what can the Dempsey team do from pole in class? We’ll be back 23:00 GMT to give you hour by hour coverage of the six hours of the Circuit of the Americas.

(image: www.fiawec.com)

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