24h Le Mans
The starting grid for the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans has been finalised. Here's a look at the end results of the three qualifying sessions.
LMP1: Private teams keeping up with the hybrids
LMP1 POLE: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's #7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid in 3:15.497
The Toyota TS050s have the first row locked down, but rarely have we seen private LMP1s keep up with the Japanese cars like this. SMP Racing and Rebellion Racing both placed a car less than a second from the pole. DragonSpeed's #10 BR Engineering BR1 and the #4 Enso CLM P1/01 trail further behind, but still ahead of the LMP2s.
LMP2: Five cars in the same second
LMP2 POLE: TDS Racing's #28 ORECA 07 in 3:25.345
With five cars in the same second as the pole, the qualifying order can be misleading since all the favourites did not complete a good lap. After the pole clinched by Graff-SO24's #39 ORECA was voided, Matthieu Vaxivière will start in first position at the wheel of TDS Racing's #28 ORECA 07. Among the favourites, all placed in the first half of the starting grid.
LMGTE Pro: Equally matched competitors
LMGTE Pro POLE: Aston Martin Racing's #95 Aston Martin Vantage in 3:48.00
The competitors in the LMGTE Pro class are so closely matched that the established starting grid is no great indicator. Trailing only slightly, the Ferraris and Corvettes are on the heels of the #95 Aston Martin. There are 17 competitors in the class and just as many contenders for victory. The level of preparation, driving skills and competitiveness are almost identical. Only the #89 Ferrari 488 GTE is further behind.
LMGTE Am: Porsche leads the charge
LMGTE Am POLE: Dempsey-Proton Racing's #88 Porsche 911 RSR in 3:51.439
The Porsche 911 RSRs have secured the top three positions and are in rare form! But, keep a close eye on the Ferrari 488 GTEs - Fisichella (#54), Piccini (#60) and Vilander (#62) - and the #98 Aston Martin Vantage. The first Ford GT entrusted to a private team will start in 54th position (ninth in the class).
>> THE STARTING GRID FOR THE 87TH 24 HOURS OF LE MANS (15-16 JUNE) <<
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, THIRD QUALIFYING SESSION, 13 JUNE 2019. The #7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid will lead the field of 61 cars tomorrow at 15:00 local time.
