Toyota Gazoo Racing secured the top two spots in both practice sessions on the first day of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season finale, the Bahrain 8 Hours.
Kobayashi Tops, opening session dependent on weather
Kamui Kobayashi set the top time in the event’s weather-affected opening practice session, but the session was rainy and windy and ultimately red-flagged due to strong winds around the Bahrain International Circuit. became.
Kobayashi set a best time of 1 minute 49.856 seconds, as the Japanese and teammates Mike Conway and Jose María López tried to close the 15-point gap on Buemi, Hartley and Hirakawa. was just 0.1 seconds behind the pacesetter.
The Proton Competition Porsche 963 driven by Gianmaria Bruni takes third place ahead of the two Porsche Penske 963 cars in the No. 6 car (Lawrence Vanthoor), led by its sister car No. 5 (Michael Christensen). obtained.
As the popular class prepares for its final WEC race for the first time in 11 seasons, United Autosports’ No. 22 entry took the lead in LMP2.
Vector Sports took second place with Gabriel Aubry setting a lap time within 0.6 seconds of Albuquerque’s best time.
Ferdinand Habsburg set the time in the car he shared with Sean Gelael and Robin Frijns, with the #31 WRT finishing in the top three.
LMGTE Am took the lead with Tomonobu Fuji setting the best lap as the #777 D’Station Aston Martin aimed for its first win of 2023 in Bahrain.
Toyota again 1-2 in second practice
Kobayashi set the pace in the second free practice of the day, which was held in dry conditions, recording a time of 1 minute 46.851 seconds.
This time was 0.4 seconds behind its sister car, the No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing, which was fastest by Brendon Hartley with a lap of 1 minute 47.312 seconds.
Leading the Toyota chase was the lone Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, with Alex Lynn vying for the top three spots.
Filipe Albuquerque topped the time screen with a time of 1:52.850, and United Autosports’ No. 22 entry once again took the lead in the LMP2 class.
The Portuguese ace was 0.3 seconds clear of the #63 Prema Oreca Gibson, with Mirco Bortolotti setting the time for the Italians.
The #36 Alpine ELF Team entry finished in 3rd place with Charles Mileci setting a tour-best time of 1:53.180. The top three in LMP2 were separated by just 0.3 seconds.
Kessel Racing took the lead in LMGTE Am, with Daniel Serra setting the fastest time of 1 minute 58.246 seconds, one better than FP1.