After this morning’s 90-minute collective test session, which was run to give the teams some extra time at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, saw the no1 Porsche take the top spot with Timo Bernhard setting a 1m26.847. 

In this afternoon’s first Free Practice session the two Audi R18s led the way with the no7 Audi at the top of the charts with Andre Lotterer setting a 1m26.705, just 0.194s ahead of teammate Lucas Di Grassi in the no8 R18.  The two Porsche 919s were 3rd and 4th fastest with the no1 car 0.257s ahead the sister car. 

The no5 Toyota TS050 was the sole runner in the first session as the no6 car was badly damaged in the earlier test after contact with the wall.  Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi will be sharing the driving duties in the no5 Toyota after Anthony Davidson, who is recovering from bruised ribs sustained during a testing session at Magny-Cours last month, decided with the team to take no further part in the event. He drove several laps during the collective test session this morning at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to evaluate his recovery but decided not to race in Mexico.

The no13 Rebellion Racing R-One was the quicker of the two LMP1 privateer entries, with Dominik Kraihamer posting a 1m32.442 lap, seven tenths ahead of the no4 Bykolles CLM.

The LMP2 class was headed by the no44 Manor Oreca 05-Nissan with Richard Bradley setting a 1m36.755, 0.125s ahead of the no31 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ligier-Nissan of Ryan Dalziel. The no26 G Drive Racing Oreca, which set the fastest time in the Collective Test, was third quickest 0.383s behind the Manor Oreca.

In LMGTE Pro it was Aston Martin which gained the upperhand over Ferrari.  The no95 Aston Martin Racing Vantage set the fastest time of the session, with Nicki Thiim setting a 1m40.980, 0.770 ahead of the no51 AF Corse Ferrari of James Calado.  Aston Martin were also third quickest with the no97 car 1.2 seconds adrift of their teammates. Ford were fourth fastest with the no67 Ford GT ahead of the no77 Porsche 911.

In LMGTE Pro Porsche held the upperhand with the no86 Gulf Racing 911 finishing the session with a 1m43.027 set by Adam Carroll, 0.167s ahead of the no88 Abu-Dhabi Proton Racing Porsche, with Pat Long setting the fastest time of that car. The no98 Aston Martin was 3rd quickest, with the no50 Larbre Competition Corvette fourth.

The second 90-minute Free Practice session will get underway at 18h00 (local) later this afternoon.

CLICK HERE for the result from Free Practice One of the 6 Hours of Mexico