6 hours of Fuji – Free Practice: Toyota leaves a strong impression
Toyota confirms that in Japan, both cars are fast. They achieved the two best times of the day. The Ferraris remain in ambush.
It’s a tradition in Japan, the weather is always uncertain. And for the first free practice session, rain has made its way to the Fuji Speedway. And this tricky weather didn’t disrupt Ferrari, very early on Friday, September 8th in the morning. Antonio Fuoco, behind the wheel of car number 50, felt very comfortable as he drove more than two seconds faster than the team of car number 51.
Peugeot remains close to the leading duo in the first practice session. Car number 94 was only four tenths behind the second Ferrari. The rest of the Hypercar field – except for the Vanwall – is within two seconds, let’s remember, on a wet and tricky track.
Alpine in retreat
A few hours later, during the second practice session, Toyota wanted to show that Fuji was its circuit. The two Japanese Hypercars finished at the top of the second session, which took place this time in better conditions. Porsche, with the number 38 from the Jota team, also showed up, obtaining the third best time. Cadillac remained behind on this first day.
On the French side, Alpine, in LMP2, achieved the 6th and 11th times during the first session. In dry conditions, the French team was more withdrawn with the 9th and 11th times.
The top 3 of the FP1
| Numéro | Voiture | Driver | Times | |
| 1 | 50 | Ferrari | Antonio Fuoco | 1:35:649 |
| 2 | 51 | Ferrari | Antonio Giovinazzi | 1:38.258 |
| 3 | 94 | Peugeot | Gustavo Menezes | 1:38.693 |
The top 3 of the EL2
| Numéro | Voiture | Driver | Times | |
| 1 | 8 | Toyota | Sébastien Buémi | 1:29.523 |
| 2 | 7 | Toyota | Kamui Kobayachi | 1:30.120 |
| 3 | 38 | Porsche | Antonio Felix da Costa | 1:30.584 |
