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| The new Aston Martin had a difficult first race. (Photo: DPPI/LMS) |
Difficult debut for the new Aston Martin prototype
Several technical issues hampered the new Aston Martin Racing LMP1 during its first racing appearance.
After having failed to participate in the 12 Hours of Sebring due to a lack of preparation, the new topless prototype of the British make suffered several technical issues, plus an overall lack of performance.
Unable to complete more than two consecutive laps during the first practice sessions on Friday, the car only set the 11th best time in qualifying, behind the best LMP2 cars and only 1.5 seconds ahead of the fastest little Formula Le Mans cars.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin Racing preferred to focus on the positive aspects of this first experience: they put some mileage on the car and they have a better knowledge of their new machine.
Several cars were involved in a pile up at the start when the race direction hesitated for a moment and put on the green lights while the Safety Car was still on the track. The cars in front of the pack accelerated, and then braked suddenly, creating chaos in the pack where several cars collided.
Le Castellet Six Hours - Race clasification:
1 - Collard/Tinseau/Jousse (Pescarolo-Judd) - Pescarolo - 185 tours (1st LMP1)
2 - Belicchi/Boullion (Lola B10/60-Toyota) - Rebellion - 184
3 - Ojjeh/Chalandon/Kimber-Smith (Zytek Z11SN-Nissan) - Greaves - 179 (1st LMP2)
4 - Perez/Russo/Kaffer (Lola B11/40-Judd) - Pecom - 179
5 - Leventis/Watts/Kahne (HPD ARX-01d) - Strakka - 177
6 - Kraihamer/de Crem (Oreca 03-Nissan) - Boutsen - 175
7 - Jani/Prost (Lola B10/60-Toyota) - Rebellion - 175
8 - Amaral/Pla (Zytek 09SC) - ASM - 174
9 - Gates/Garofall/Philipps (Lola EX265-Judd) - RLR - 174.
10 - Frey/Meichtry/Ebbesvik (Oreca 03-Judd) - Race Perf. - 174
(…)
12 - Schultis/Simon/Schell (Oreca 03-Judd) - Pegasus - 170 (1st FLM)
(…)
14 - Bell/Walker (Ferrari F458 Italia) - JMW - 170 (1st GT Pro)
(…)
17 - Ried/Felbermayr/Felbermayr (Porsche 997) - Felbermayr - 167 (1st GT Am)
etc.
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| The Ferrari F458 won the GT Pro category. (Photo: DPPI/LMS) |