Alex Lynn of Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA showcased his form in practice yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Having featured firmly toward the sharp end throughout the pre-season ‘Prologue’ group test around Lusail International Circuit, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA backed that up by posting the fastest time on the opening day of practice for the Qatar 1812 KM yesterday.
In cooler conditions, Sebastien Bourdais went second-quickest to Ferrari AF Corse’s James Calado in FP1, before team-mate Alex Lynn returned the Cadillac V-Series.R to the top of the timesheets in FP2 with a lap just over three tenths-of-a second clear of anybody else in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 18-strong Hypercar field.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” reflected last year’s 6 Hours of Fuji pole-sitter.
Lusail Classic Parade took off from the circuit to the Old Doha Port.
“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.”
The other scarlet Ferrari – the #50 crewed by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen – wound up second in the hands of the Italian, with Prologue pace-setter Robin Frijns slotting into third for BMW M Team WRT, a whisker ahead of Bourdais in the #38 Cadillac. Antonio Giovinazzi put the #51 Ferrari 499P Hypercar fifth, followed by Brendon Hartley in the best-placed Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid.
Further back, none of the three Porsche 963 Hypercars made the overall top ten, around a track where the German manufacturer dominated with a podium lockout 12 months ago. Aston Martin THOR Team logged another 116 laps as the British marque prepares for the Valkyrie Hypercar’s eagerly-anticipated debut, although the #009 entry lost some time when Alex Riberas ground to a halt midway through FP1.
In the LMGT3 category, Sean Gelael installed United Autosports’ McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo at the summit of the standings, with Akkodis ASP Team’s pair of Lexus RC F LMGT3s in hot pursuit in second and third. Much like during the Prologue, the Vista AF Corse-run Ferrari 296 LMGT3s were also in the mix.
QMMF Team's Bader Al Sulaiti in action during F4 session.
The day began with a vibrant atmosphere as Formula 4 Middle East Championship and Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRME) test sessions complemented the main Qatar 1812km activities. The F4 sessions featured three promising Qatari drivers representing QMMF Team, carrying national hopes as they continue their motorsport development journey on home soil.
Meanwhile, the FRME draws special attention as it conducts its final races of the season in Qatar, bringing the regional competition to an exciting conclusion.
A special highlight of the day was the Lusail Classic Free Practice session, which featured 30 veteran entries from nine nations piloting iconic machinery from endurance racing’s golden era.
The session was topped by Charlie Hyett in the 1975 Chevron B31 with a time of 2:02.525, followed by Jamie Constable in the 1971 Chevron B19 just 2.779 seconds behind. The #4 1971 Porsche 908/03 completed the top three setting a time of 2:05.308.
The day concluded with the spectacular Lusail Classic Parade, that took off from the circuit to the Old Doha Port where fans lined up to witness vintage racing machinery including the likes of the rare Ferrari 51 BBLM with its flat-12 engine, the nimble British Ginetta G16, and the Chevrolet Corvette C3 representing raw American muscle, delighting spectators with the sights and sounds of endurance racing’s golden era.
Today, fans will also have the opportunity to get closer to the action with a special Pit Lane Walk and driver autograph session, offering a chance to meet the stars of endurance racing and see the sophisticated engineering marvels up close.
Fans can still purchase tickets for the remaining days, with General Admission priced at QR 200 for adults, while children under 12 can attend free of charge if accompanied by one paying adult . The premium Qatar 1812 KM Lounge experience remains available at QR 3,468, offering gourmet dining, exclusive Pit Lane access, and premium trackside viewing. For more information visit the LIC website.
Fastest Combined Hypercar Times
1. Alex Lynn; Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA; 1m39.601s
2. Antonio Fuoco; Ferrari AF Corse; +0.305s
3. Robin Frijns; BMW M Team WRT; +0.475s
4. Sebastien Bourdais; Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA; +0.524s
5. Antonio Giovinazzi; Ferrari AF Corse; +0.713s
6. Brendon Hartley; TOYOTA GAZOO Racing; +0.904s
7. Mick Schumacher; Alpine Endurance Team; +1.093s
8. Robert Kubica; AF Corse; +1.111s
9. Charles Milesi; Alpine Endurance Team; +1.164s
10. Dries Vanthoor; BMW M Team WRT; +1.211s
Fastest Combined LMGT3 Times
1. Sean Gelael; United Autosports; 1m54.557s
2. Ben Barnicoat; Akkodis ASP Team; +0.136s
3. Jose Maria Lopez; Akkodis ASP Team; +0.185s
4. Alessio Rovera; Vista AF Corse; +0.767s
5. Davide Rigon; Vista AF Corse; +0.861s
6. Eduardo Barrichello; Racing Spirit of Leman; +0.862s
7. Daniel Juncadella; TF Sport; +0.871s
8. Kelvin van der Linde; Team WRT; +0.988s
9. Zacharie Robichon; Heart of Racing Team; +0.993s
10. Charlie Eastwood; TF Sport; +1.263s
