The 24 Hours of Le Mans Test Day is an opportunity for teams entered in the race to try out their set-ups, while rookies get to grips with the iconic circuit and the organiser makes sure that the various procedures run smoothly. Today’s session was highly instructive in many respects. The fastest lap time record today was by Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the #8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid (3:19.066). The large crowd in attendance was treated some impressive motorsport action.
Eight hours of track time were scheduled for the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 Hours Test Day today (Sunday 3 June) and there was no time to lose for the teams. They had all prepared a full schedule of tests to make the most of some valuable track time on this very special circuit, which includes sections of the public roads around Le Mans. The weather remained fine, an added bonus for the larger than usual crowd of spectators, perhaps attracted by the presence of some big-name rookies like Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Juan Pablo Montoya, or BMW’s comeback with its M8 in the LM GTE Pro class.
The sixty competitors had some a complex list of tasks to run through, such as checking their settings, simulating fuel consumption, testing their tyres and refuelling procedures, and rehearsing driver changes. Meanwhile, some of the rookies had ten mandatory laps to complete and they no doubt hoped to bank a few more to really get to grips with the iconic 13.626-km circuit and their cars.
The session was interrupted by the red flag several times.
The best times in each class:
In LMP1, the #8 Toyota, with Fernando Alonso at the wheel, scored the best time at 3:19.066.
The first non-hybrid LMP1, the #3 Rebellion Racing (Laurent/Beche/Menezes) was just 0.614 seconds behind.
In LMP2, the #31 Dragonspeed (Oreca-Gibson) was fastest, with a time of 3:27.228.
In LMGTE Pro, the #93 Porsche (Pilet/Tandy/Bamber) clocked 3:52.551, while in LMGTE Am, the #77 Dempsey - Proton Racing Porsche (Campbell/Ried/Andlauer) achieved a time of 3:55.970.
The competitors will next take to the track on Wednesday 13 June for the first free practice sessions at 16:00, followed by the first round of qualifying at 22:00.