Toyota led the way at La Sarthe on Le Mans Test Day, already dipping below the 2016 pole time set by Porsche’s Neel Jani.
Kamui Kobayashi’s impressive pace continued, setting the day’s benchmark time of 3m18.132sec ahead of early pacesetter Kazuki Nakajima in the sister Toyota. José María López returned to the Toyota cockpit following the injury he sustained at the season opener at Silverstone and claimed third on the timesheets, having been moved into the #9 Toyota for Le Mans.
Earl Bamber was quickest of the Porsches in fourth, with Jani fifth. The ByKolles was quicker than all but the fastest LMP2 in what will be in its penultimate race of 2017 as it focuses its attentions on next season following July’s Nürburgring round.
Last year’s LMP2 winner Signatech Alpine was quickest of the new LMP2s, eight seconds faster than the pole time of G-Drive 12 months ago.
Corvette set the pace in GTE, two tenths ahead of the new Porsche.
Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson warned that winning was essential for its Hypercar project earlier this year. After an uncompetitive run in the Le Mans 24 Hours, she says that the fight goes on, with the team confident that it will catch its rivals
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Amid a tense battle for victory in the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, Kamui Kobayashi still found time to jokingly insult a rival — and receive an acknowledgement
Ferrari prevails again after an intense rain-hit 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, making it back-to-back victories after following its 2023 triumph