WEC - Porsche quickest on day one in Mexico
WEC - 2016 6 Hours of Mexico City - FP2
After Audi took a 1-2 in the opening Free Practice session of the 6 Hours of Mexico, Porsche responded with a 1-2 in Free Practice 2, with the no2 Porsche 919 Hybrid setting the fastest time of the day.
The session was declared wet after earlier rain but the track was drying quickly and the times tumbled. With two minutes left on the clock the session was red flagged after two cars went off late and it was decided to bring the Free Practice to a close.
Neel Jani set a 1m25.810 in the no2 Porsche, 0.9 seconds quicker than the time posted by Andre Lotterer in the n07 Audi R18 in the earlier session. The no1 Porsche 919 was second quickest in FP2, 0.248 behind their teammates and nearly half a second ahead of the two Audis led by the no8 R18 of Loic Duval.
The no5 Toyota TS050 was once again the only entry from the Japanese manufacturer on track as the mechanics continued the work to repair the no6 machine for tomorrow. The no13 Rebellion R-One was once again the fastest of the LMP1 Privateers with a 1m30.997, 0.7 ahead of the no4 Bykolles CLM.
In LMP2 the no43 RGR Sport by Morand Ligier-Nissan set the fastest class time of the two sessions, the Mexican team showing they are going to be a force to reckoned with on home soil. Bruno Senna set a 1m35.507, just 0.023 ahead of the no26 G Drive Racing Oreca-Nissan of Rene Rast and 0.7 seconds ahead of the no44 Manor Oreca-Nissan that had set the fastest lap in the earlier session.
Aston Martin grabbed the two top spots in LMGTE Pro, with the no95 once again leading the way. Nicki Thiim set a 1m40.477, 0.072s ahead of Darren Turner in the no97 Vantage V8 with the no51 AF Corse Ferrari just 0.005s slower than the no97. The top Ford was the no66, just over one second behind the class leader.
In the LMGTE Am standings it was another 1-2 for Porsche with the no86 Gulf Racing 911 once again at the top of the time sheets. Ben Barker set a 1m42.321, seven tenths faster thatn the best time in FP1, with the no88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing Porsche of Pat Long in second place just 0.241s behind. The no98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage was third quickest with Mathias Lauda posting a 1m42.711 lap.
Free Practice 3 for the 6 Hours of Mexico will take place at 10h00 (local) tomorrow morning.
CLICK HERE for the results from Free Practice 2