Petit Le Mans, LM GTE : Ferrari shine in both classes

Photo : P.SAIVET - VSC Pictures

No clouds arrived to disrupt the qualifying sessions of LM GTE Pro and Am, both  literally and figuratively. There was blue sky, summer temperatures and no break in the session for the GT competitors.

First up were the LM GTE Am with, not surprisingly, Rui Aguas and Ferrari F430 #61 AF Corse, who had the fastest time in 1'20''619. This car has consistently topped its class in the different test sessions, alternating with Niclas Jönsson and #57 Krohn Racing Ferrari that set the second time in the category by less than three tenths. Richard Lietz took third place behind the wheel of the #63 Porsche of Proton Competition.

LM GTE Pro has kept all its promises with suspense until the last minute. Dirk Werner (BMW #55) took hold of provisional pole position until a Gimmi Bruni to0k the Ferrari #51 AF Corse into first place with a lap of 1'18''699, less than 87/100s ahead of Dirk Werner. The Italian is definitely in great form when it comes to putting in a fast lap, both in Europe and the United States. The second BMW, the #56 of Dirk Müller, took third place on the grid.

BMW have proved to their advantage since the beginning of the week, but they were beaten in the art of qualification by Ferrari who also occasionally topped the timing screens. The LM GTE Pro class bodes well for an exciting race with nine cars in the same second and minute differences between the protagonists. Not to mention that Ferrari can win the title at Petit Le Mans as the manufacturer in LM GTE!

See you tomorrow morning at 9:15 (14:15 UK) for the warm-up!

Cécile Bonardel

Photo : BRASELTON (GEORGIA, USA), ROAD ATLANTA, PETIT LE MANS, FREE PRACTICE, 29 SEPT 2011. Gimmi Bruni prepares to drive Ferrari #51