296 LMGT3s take to the track at Le Mans Test Day

With the opening two free practice sessions of the Test Day, the build-up to the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is now officially underway. At the historic French circuit, the five 296 LMGT3s featured prominently during the opening six hours of track action, with teams focused on optimising car set-up.

FP1 The first session took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time, in dry conditions, with air and track temperatures reaching 19°C and 21°C respectively.

The number 21 car from Vista AF Corse closed the session in second place, with a best time of 3’57’’378, just 0.269 seconds behind the session-leading number 87 Lexus. Kessel Racing’s number 57 Ferrari was fourth (3’58’’018), ahead of the number 150 Richard Mille AF Corse entry (3’58’’213). The number 54 Vista AF Corse car placed eighth (3’58’’731), while the number 193 from Ziggo Sport Tempesta was 11th (3’59’’202).

FP2. The three-hour afternoon session, heavily interrupted by a red flag, took place under conditions similar to the morning, although temperatures climbed to over 21°C in the air and 33°C on the track.

Rovera-Mann-Heriau, in the number 21 Ferrari, held onto second place, improving their best lap to 3'56''835 – 1.559 seconds behind the number 87 Lexus.

Kessel Racing’s Serra-Kimura-Stevenson took third, posting a fastest time of 3'56''993, while Rigon, Flohr and Castellacci finished in fifth with the number 54 Ferrari, 2''390 behind the leader. Wadoux, Toledo, and Agostini finished the day in eighth place in the number 150 Richard Mille AF Corse entry, while Hui, Froggatt, and Cheever finished sixteenth in the number 193 Ferrari of Ziggo Sport Tempesta.

The schedule. On Wednesday 11 June, there will be two free practice sessions and Qualifying; on Thursday 12, it will be time for Hyperpole – divided into two parts – and two more free practice sessions. The race will start on Saturday 14 June at 4pm (local time).