24 Hours of Le Mans – Test Day: Toyota leads the way

The big event of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is fast approaching. Hypercars like the LMGT3 are gearing up to compete and measure themselves.

Hypercar: Porsche’s impressive pace

The first session of the Test Day was not the most revealing in terms of the true pace that will be displayed during the free practice and qualifying sessions.

Be that as it may, Toyota wanted to show their teeth right away: Kamui Kobayashi, at the wheel of car N°7, clocked a 3:28.487. It was a second faster than Porsche N°6, in second place, followed by BMW N°20.

But the constructor from Stuttgart has decided to settle everything during the second round of testing: car number 6, leading the World Championship, set the fastest time, ahead of the Porsche No. 4 from the IMSA.

Car number 8 from Toyota, in 3rd place, prevented Porsche from achieving a top three with its official cars. This is proof that German cars will be a force to be reckoned with in all sessions.

In the French team, it already seems more complicated or discreet, if we can say so. The best of the two Peugeots finished 13th (No. 94) and the first of the Alpines, No. 36, ranked 17th in the second session.

LMGT3: Akkodis then TF Sport

Author of a very complicated start to the season, the French team Akkodis and its two Lexus simply dominated the top two spots of the first session (in order 78 and 87). But TF Sport, with its Corvette No. 82, outperformed in the second session. The two Lexus then returned to the pack.

The Iron Dames, the only female crew competing in the WEC, have been rather discreet. In session 1, the Lamborghini No. 85 dressed all in pink, with its special livery, finished 8th, then 7th in the second session.

The LMP2 ranking, meanwhile, was first dominated by IDEC Sport (No. 28), then by the favorites, United Autosport, with number 22.