On the FIA WEC’s return to the Circuit of the Americas, it was Porsche and Ferrari who dominated the opening free practice sessions.
FP1: Porsche lead the field
Porsche Penske Motorsport were the team to beat in FP1, with Matt Campbell setting the best time of the session. The Australian posted a 1:53.574 around the newly resurfaced 5.514 kilometre circuit in the #5 Porsche 963.
Robert Kubica had initially posted the fastest lap time for the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, but had to settle for second in the session, just ahead of Oliver Rasmussen in the #38 Hertz Team Jota Porsche.
Ferrari drivers Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi finished fourth and fifth quickest, while Cadillac Racing and Alex Lynn were sixth fastest. Championship leaders Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor finished the session in seventh position.
In the LMGT3 category, Alessio Rovera topped the timesheets in the #55 AF Corse Ferrari with a best time of 2:06.316. The #88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang was close behind in second with TF Sport’s pair of Corvette GT3s coming in fourth and fifth.
FP2: Ferrari rise to the top
FP2 saw the teams improve their times as the track began to rubber up. Antonio Giovinazzi was fastest in the #51 Ferrari with a 1:52.268, ahead of Antonio Fuoco in the sister car.
BMW M Team WRT were third quickest, thanks to Robin Frijns’ time, before a spin by Sheldon van der Linde interrupted the session. Cadillac Racing continued their strong form as Alex Lynn was fourth fastest in the session.
In LMGT3, Daniel Juncadella went fastest in his TF Sport Corvette Z.06. The Vista AF Corse Ferraris were second and third fastest, with the Akkodis ASP Lexus in fourth position.
The action continues with FP3 on Saturday, before Hyperpole (Saturday night European time) sets the grid for Sunday’s race. The green flag is scheduled to be waved at 11:00 am local time (8:00 pm Central European Summer Time). More information is available here.
Impressions from the track
Our photographer Maksym has travelled to Austin for the race. Here are some of his photos from the first on-track action as well as the track walk.
Bilder © Maksym Lobachov