Ferrari Claims Hypercar Pole as Iron Dames Strikes in Spa
Source: XPB Images
May 11, 2024
Antonio Fuoco and Ferrari secure a commanding pole position for Ferrari in the 6 Hours of Spa despite the latest BoP changes. The Italian team outpaced the championship-leading #5 Penske Porsche of Matt Campbell by over half a second, ensuring a front-row start for the German brand.
Iron Dames claimed their first LMGT3 pole position of the season and first with Lamborghini in the World Endurance Championship. Sarah Bovy topped the class despite a late charge from both United Autosport McLarens.
Hypercar Session Round-Up:
The start of the Hypercar Qualifying session was a heart-stopping moment as the #5 and #6 Porsche 963s nearly collided at La Source. The pair managed to avoid contact,
After the opening runs, the #8 Toyota eclipsed the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, while the four-car assault of Porsches was separated by only 20 milliseconds. However, it was the #5 Penske Porsche that led the four 963s that progressed into the second session. Proton successfully made Hyperpole for the second straight event and will start a spectacular fourth on the grid for the race.
The Isotta Fraschini was under investigation after crossing the pit lane merge line, but despite any outcome, it will start from 18th on the grid.
Fuoco dominated in Hyperpole once again despite the new BoP changes to the Ferrari 499P over Matt Campbell in the Leading Porsche Penske.
Alex Lynn in the #2 Cadillac snuck into their second straight Hyperpole, edging out a flurry of heavy hitters as the majority of the field was separated by mere tenths of a second. James Calado was one of the big names to miss out as the Ferrari’s traditional qualifying speed couldn't be unlocked, resulting in 11th on the grid.
Calado wasn’t the only big name to miss out on Hyperpole as the #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing team only managed a lowly 15th in class and will have it all to do in the race.
Alpine claimed this first spot of the season in Hyperpole as Charles Milesi managed to claim fourth in the opening session but dropped to eighth in the final top 10 shootout, but suffered a mechanical issue in the closing minutes, leading the A424 to stop on the Kemmel Straight.
Robert Kubica in the AF Corse Ferrari wasn’t able to capitalise on his sole Hyperpole lap and will start from ninth ahead of Sheldon Van Der Linde's leading BMW.
Hypercar Top 10: 6Hrs of Spa Qualifying
Pos. Number / Team. Time / Delta.
#50 Ferrari AF Corse 2.02.600s
#5 Porsche Penske (+0.507s)
#2 Cadillac Racing (+0.515s)
#99 Proton Competition. (+0.714s)
#12 Hertz Team JOTA (+0.784s)
#6 Porsche Penske (+0.848s)
#8 Toyota Gazoo Racing (+0.972s)
#35 Alpine Endurance (+1.085s)
#83 AF Corse. (+1.448s)
#20 BMW M Team WRT (+1.462s)
LMGT3 Session Round-Up:
Source: XPB Images
The opening LMGT3 Qualifying session started under overcast conditions, with the #85 Iron Dames Lamborghini, driven by Sarah Bovy, leading the way with a 2.20.527s, seven-tenths ahead of their closest competition ahead of the Hyperpole session.
Eight different manufacturers progressed to the Hyperpole session, with United Autosports and Manthey being the only teams to field two cars into the Top 10.
In a surprising turn of events, Akkodis ASP’s #78 Lexus, driven by Arnold Robin, made its way into the Hyperpole session for the first time in 2024. The Lexus placed 10th in the session, leaving the Proton Mustangs chasing their tails in 11th and 12th heading into the six-hour affair.
Despite the #46 showing great signs of pace in the opening session, Team WRT’s #31 shockingly missed out on Hyperpole as Darren Leung could only manage 13th in the BMW M4 GT3 around the seven-kilometre circuit.
Manthey is set for an overnight rebuild after the #92, driven by Alex Malykin, crashed out in spectacular fashion in the opening minutes of Hyperpole. The Belarusian driver lost the rear end of the 911 Porsche after cresting at Raidillon, colliding with the inside barriers. Malykin was physically unharmed from the incident but was visibly shaken after the incident, with the team awaiting confirmation if he’ll be fit to compete in the six-hour race as the car’s sole bronze driver.
The crash led to a lengthy red-flag period after the substantial damage required the tyre barriers to be replaced. The session resumed with only a few minutes to go, leading a dash from most of the cars to leave the pitlane and set a benchmark time.
Robin in the #78 Lexus failed to restart once the session went green and wasn’t able to set a time and will start the race from ninth on the grid after Manthey’s incident.
Iron Dames clinched the pole with their first flying lap but further improved on their second lap to secure the team pole position for the 6 hours of Spa. Josh Caygill led the McLaren charge with a phenomenal second place in only his third WEC event, edging out Al Harthy in the Team WRT BMW in third.
“It's nice to get a result for everybody; everyone has been working so hard behind the scenes,” said Caygill after Hyperpole.
Yasser Shahin led the Manthey charge after the sister car crashed out, managing fourth by the chequered flag, over half a second behind the pole-winning Lamborghini.
James Cottingham wasn't able to replicate the pace of his young British teammate but placed the #59 McLaren fifth on the grid. Heart of Racing’s #27, Vista AF Corse’s #54 Ferrari, and TF Sport’s #81 Corvette rounded out the competitors who set a time in the 12-minute hyperpole session.
LMGT3 RESULTS: 6Hrs of Spa Qualifying
Pos. Number / Team. Time / Delta.
#85 Iron Lynx 2.20.204s
#95 United Autosports (+0.337s)
#46 Team WRT (+0.383s)
#91 Manthey EMA (+0.530s)
#59 United Autosports (+0.538s)
#27 Heart of Racing Team (+0.595s)
#54 Vista AF Corse (+0.828s)
#81 TF Sport (+1.460s)
#78 AKKODIS ASP Team (+0.000s)*
#92 Manthey Purerxcing (+0.000s)*
#88 Proton Competition (+1.958s) (Q1)
#77 Proton Competition (+2.031s) (Q1)
#31 Team WRT (+2.515s) (Q1)
#55 Vista AF Corse (+2.567s) (Q1)
#777 D’Station Racing (+2.567s) (Q1)
#82 TF Sport (+3.000s) (Q1)
#87 AKKODIS ASP Team (+4.494s) (Q1)
#60 Iron Lynx. (+4.859s) (Q1)
