Le Mans Pole Time Destroyed, Toyota Fastest In LM24 Qualifying

[Paul Jeffrey]

Qualification is over, the times have been set and drivers have given their all resulting in a front row lock out for Toyota ahead of the 85th 24 Heures du Mans.

Japanese fan favourite Kamui Kobayashi set a record pole position time of 3m14.791s to bring his #7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid home in first position on Thursday night, ahead of the sister Toyota of team mate and fellow Japanese Kazuki Nakajima in the #8 car, followed closely by the first of the two Porsche 919's courtesy of Neel Jani, a full 2.468s shy of the pace setting Kobayashi and just under a second ahead of team mate Timo Bernhard to secure a double two by two start at the head of the LMP 1 field.

The #9 Toyota of Lapierre, Lopez and Kunimoto would wind up in fifth position after the final qualification session of the event, with Lapierre bringing the car home for the squad a further six tenths of a second away from the last of the two Porsche cars, but a massive five and a half seconds in front of the miserably uncompetitive ByKolles ENSO CLM P1/01 who themselves just managed to pip the best of the LMP 2 runners into sixth place.

Pole position in the second tier LMP 2 class would eventually fall to Rusinov,Thiriet and Lynn in the Oreca 07 LMP2 with LM GTE PRO fastest time secured by the impressive (and surprise) Aston Martin of Turner, Adam and Serra. Chevrolte would take top honours in LM GTE AM with Rees, Brandela and Philippon, taking top spot after an impressive run from the team.

Full qualification results (provisional)

LMP1

1. Sarrazin, Kobayashi, Conway - Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 - 3'14.791
2. Davidson, Nakajima, Buemi - Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 - 3'17.128
3. Lotterer, Jani, Tandy - Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 - 3'17.259
4. Bernhard, Hartley, Bamber - Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 - 3'18.067
5. Lapierre, Lopez, Kunimoto - Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 - 3'18.625
6. Bonanomi, Webb, Kraihamer - ENSO CLM P1/01 LMP1 - 3'24.170

LMP2

1. Rusinov,Thiriet, Lynn - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'25.352
2. Petrov, Trummer, Gonzalez - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'25.549
3. Jarvis, Tung, Laurent - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'25.911
4. Senna, Canal, Prost - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'26.736
5. Piquet Jr, Heinemeier Hansson, Beche - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'26.811
6. Vergne, Hirschi, Graves - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'26.871
7. Perrodo, Collard, Vaxivière - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'27.108
8. Panciatici, Ragues, Negrao - Alpine A470 LMP2 - 3'27.517
9. Cheng, Gommendy, Brundle - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'27.535
10. Sirotkin, Shaytar, Aleshin - Dallara P217 LMP2 - 3'27.782
11. Dumas, Menezes, Rao - Alpine A470 LMP2 - 3'28.051
12. Winslow, Trouillet, Guibbert - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'28.368
13. Bradley, Allen, Matelli - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'28.891
14. Gutierrez, Rojas, Hirakawa - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'28.937
15. Albuquerque, Owen, De Sadeleer - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'29.151
16. Rosenqvist, Hedman, Hanley - Oreca 07 LMP2 - 3'29.777
17. Lammers, Barrichello, van Eerd - Dallara P217 LMP2 - 3'29.976
18. Lacorte, Sernagiotto, Belicchi - Dallara P217 LMP2 - 3'30.014
19. Capillaire, Patterson, McMurry - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'30.164
20. Berthon, Barthez, Buret - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'31.346
21. Chandhok, Moore, Hanson - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'32.536
22. Breukers, Konopka, Calko - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'33.921
23. Lafargue, Lafargue, Zollinger - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'36.230
24. Bleekemolen, Keating,Taylor - Riley Mk. 30 LMP2 - 3'37.007
25. Nicolet, Maris, Nicolet - Ligier JSP 217 LMP2 - 3'42.660

GT PRO

1. Turner, Adam, Serra - Aston Martin Vantage LMGTE PRO - 3'50.837
2. Calado, Guidi, Rugolo - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE PRO - 3'51.028
3. Sorensen, Thiim, Stanaway - Aston Martin Vantage LMGTE PRO - 3'51.038
4. Bird, Rigon, Molina - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE PRO - 3'51.086
5. Briscoe, Dixon, Westbrook - Ford GT LMGTE PRO - 3'51.232 36.
6. Magnussen, Garcia, Taylor - Chevrolet Corvette C7R LMGTE PRO - 3'51.484
7. Christensen, Estre, Werner - Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE PRO - 3'51.847
8. Mücke, Pla, Johnson - Ford GT LMGTE PRO - 3'51.991
9. Derani, Tincknell, Priaulx - Ford GT LMGTE PRO - 3'52.008
10. Fassler, Gavin, Milner - Chevrolet Corvette C7R LMGTE PRO - 3'52.017
11. Fisichella, Vilander, Kaffer - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE PRO - 3'52.138
12. Kanaan, Hand, Müller - Ford GT LMGTE PRO - 3'52.278
13. Lietz, Pilet, Makowiecki - Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE PRO - 3'52.593

GT AM

1. Rees, Brandela, Philippon - Chevrolet Corvette C7R LMGTE AM - 3'52.843
2. Lamy, Lana, Lauda - Aston Martin Vantage LMGTE AM - 3'53.233
3. Bell, Sweedler, MacNeil - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'53.312
4. Christian Ried, Cairoli, Dienst - Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE AM - 3'53.381
5. Cameron, Cioci, Scott - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'53.641
6. Stevens, Smith, Vanthoor - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'53.977
7. Bertolini, Krohn, Jönsson - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'54.088
8. Bell, Yoluc, Hankey - Aston Martin Vantage LMGTE AM - 3'54.319
9. Howard, Bryant, Gunn - Aston Martin Vantage LMGTE AM - 3'54.328
10. Long, Al Faisal, Hedlund - Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE AM - 3'54.621
11. Parente, Wee, Katoh - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'54.994
12. Griffin, Weng Sun, Sawa - Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE AM - 3'55.440
13. Al Qubaisi, Bachler, Lemeret - Porsche 911 RSR LMGTE AM - 3'55.468

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Looking forward to Le Mans? Do you think Toyota can be caught this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

Crikey.. that Toyota went quickly...

Off to bed now, 5 hours straight on the laptop directly from work.. no food, no TV (apart from quali in the background) and no rest! I need sleep to prepare for the race on Saturday!

Nighty night all!

 

[Nick Gregory]

After that lap, I now have to replace my floor after my jaw hit it.

 

[Deleted member 113561]

This is onboard of pole lap (except the video was edited and is thereby fake)

Looks like a lot of lifting probably would be in 3min12s

 

[samcar304]

This is onboard of pole lap (except the video was edited and is thereby fake)

Looks like a lot of lifting probably would be in 3min12s

I don't think its lifting, one of the commentators said that to not overuse the quota of Hybrid Toyota and Porsche are allocated they have are down on power in certain parts of the track. Pre-determined by the engineers. If they go over that quota its then deemed a break in the rules and they are reprimanded. Maybe they lift before heavy braking zones to make back the quota? I don't know... Just making assumptions

 

[Kurupt CDN]

No audi or bmw enteries in either GT Pro or AM this yr?

 

[samcar304]

No audi or bmw enteries in either GT Pro or AM this yr?

BMW are entering in 2018 with the M8. Its gonna be another Ford/Porsche controversy since BMW has not put the M8 into production nor has it been given a release date.

 

[Deleted member 113561]

I don't think its lifting, one of the commentators said that to not overuse the quota of Hybrid Toyota and Porsche are allocated they have are down on power in certain parts of the track. Pre-determined by the engineers. If they go over that quota its then deemed a break in the rules and they are reprimanded. Maybe they lift before heavy braking zones to make back the quota? I don't know... Just making assumptions

You mean as in Hybrid power, or as in engine power?, because I hear a complete coast. Otherwise you would hear engine still revving up. This would be imo a weird rule, as this is the pinnacle of Prototype racing & 1 of 3 most important motorsport event in our time.

 

[samcar304]

You mean as in Hybrid power, or as in engine power?, because I hear a complete coast. Otherwise you would hear engine still revving up. This would be imo a weird rule, as this is the pinnacle of Prototype racing & 1 of 3 most important motorsport event in our time.

Yeah i am probably wrong, I too hear a complete lift. Another one of the commentators said that Lifting through Mulsanne kink and Indianapolis helps with car stability on entry but then i don't get why he would need it at the two chicanes... Rule of overusing Hybrid energy is real though, I just assumed it might have something to do with it.

 

[RWLemonade]

I just saw the hot lap....Holy ****, i swear thats a formula one car with the body of the LMP on it, that was seriously quick, the chicanes, he was going through like it was no bother, like it werent even there.... dammm, thats how Toyota is bringing the pain....

 

[Boby Kim]

GREAT...please also post the results of the race on the front page.

 

[Nick Gregory]

GREAT...please also post the results of the race on the front page.

I'll be sure to PM them to you.

 

[TrumpetReich]

Strange seeing the Vilander Ferrari and Muller/Hand Ford at the back.

 

[snyperal]

Stonking quality lap by the Toyota, it looks like they mean business this year.

Nicki Thiim is a legend, (gte pro for Aston Martin) a sim racer too and has put out some great behind the scenes you tube footage.

https://www.youtube.com/user/NickiThiim

His sim races are also quite funny once running a BSS race wearing a viking helmet.

 

[JusTiCe-8]

A very llloooonnnnnngg 24h race cannot be summarized in a single fast lap as mostly all single edition shows us in the past, let's see how Toyota will be going this year.

Too bad LMP1 class has become such a joke (2 big manufacturers with tons of money thrown for a potential victory since many years now, just a shame)

 

[Aarup]

Yeah i am probably wrong, I too hear a complete lift. Another one of the commentators said that Lifting through Mulsanne kink and Indianapolis helps with car stability on entry but then i don't get why he would need it at the two chicanes... Rule of overusing Hybrid energy is real though, I just assumed it might have something to do with it.

I heard Allan McNish as commentator tell that they do the lift a lot before braking to let the hybrid system to charge with electric power during this coasting before braking.

He said this actually give more speed in the end because they use that energy to accelerate faster out of the corner on exit

 

[Patrick van der Meulen]

No audi or bmw enteries in either GT Pro or AM this yr?

I noticed it too, a lot of cars, but not so much variation in manufacturers. Although better equiped than the LMP1 class which is just shameful. Where are the French. PSA should be able to compete in LMP1 and GTE Pro and Am in WEC. And why aren't there Chinese manufacturers? It would be an oppertunitity to show that it's not all crap which is made in China. For instance Geely. South-Korean Hyundai/Kia would be a welcome addition too. Hopefully the future brings more manufacturers. And let's hope that LMP1 doesn't die. Those rockets are just from outer space (except the Bykolles LMP1).

 

[Monstro]

Just a lot of chance, an almost complete clear lap.(very rare in LeMans)
in 2015, the Porsche 919 with such a clear lap and in these conditions would have done the lap in 3,13 min imo.

excuse my english guys.

 

[vee10]

Great lap, official video.

 

[RasmusP]

Great lap, official video.

First Le Mans for me to really watch!
After taking part in a RD race this week on Le Mans I can't say how impressed I am with this lap.
WOW! He's flying (yeah hopefully not.. if you know hat I mean )