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, including a spin off track for the #31 DragonSpeed (LMP2) right at the end.

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. 

Top 3 LMP1

1. Toyota TS050 Hybrid #8 - Toyota Gazoo Racing - 3:19.066
2. Rebellion R13 - Gibson #3 - Rebellion Racing - 3:19.680
3. Toyota TS050 Hybrid #7 - Toyota Gazoo Racing - 3:20.008

 

Top 3 LMP2

1. Oreca 07 - Gibson #31 - DragonSpeed - 3:27.228
2. Oreca 07 - Gibson #48 - IDEC Sport - 3:27.252
3. Oreca 07 - Gibson #26 - G-Drive Racing - 3:28.394

 

Top 3 LMGTE Pro

1. Porsche 911 RSR #93 - Porsche GT Team - 3:52.551
2. Porsche 911 RSR #91 - Porsche GT Team - 3:52.647
3. Ford GT #67 - Chip Ganassi Team UK - 3:53.008

 

Top 3 LMGTE Am

1. Porsche 911 RSR #77 - Dempsey Proton Racing - 3:55.970
2. Ferrari 488 GTE #54 - Spirit of Race - 3:56.269
3. Ferrari 488 GTE #61 - Clearwater Racing - 3:56.672

Full results

PHOTO : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, 2018 TEST DAY.