The second race weekend of the FIA World Endurance Championship is well underway in Imola, and home favourites Ferrari appear to be the team to beat after four hours of free practice. BMW also put in a strong showing, while Peugeot were also towards the sharp end of the field in FP3.
Ferrari fastest at home race, BMW on similar footing
Robert Kubica in the #83 AF Corse was the quickest out of the blocks in FP1, posting a fastest lap time of 1:32.065 in drying conditions. The Pole was closely followed on the timesheets by the works Ferrari of Antonio Fuoco (#50) and the #12 Cadillac driven by Alex Lynn.
Conditions were anything but easy in Emilia-Romagna, with the morning session starting wet and slowly drying as the 90 minutes passed. With the weather playing a key role in the outcome of last year’s race, the first day of free practice could be a taste of what’s to come.
There was literally nothing to separate Ferrari and BMW in the second free practice session, with the #51 Ferrari 499P and the #15 BMW setting the exact same time around the 4.9km Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
The top five in FP2 was rounded out by the second works Ferrari and the sister BMW. The #38 Cadillac also remained within touching distance of the leaders in P5.
Toyota, who won here last year, have been solid if not unspectacular so far, posting times in the midfield in all three sessions. Peugeot set some promising times in FP3, going third and sixth fastest in the final one-hour practice session.
Hypercar at a glance:
- Ferrari look to have the fastest package at Imola, topping all three sessions.
- For the first time in the new Hypercar era, BMW is also a major contender this weekend.
- Alpine and Cadillac have also performed well so far and could be in with a chance of a podium.
- After a promising opening to the weekend, the #12 Caddy crashed out of FP3 and the team will have a significant repair job to do ahead of qualifying.
- Toyota may have some work to do, but should certainly not be underestimated, particularly after their performance in Imola in 2024.
- Porsche continue to struggle after the disappointing Qatar race, while Aston Martin are still finding their feet in the Hypercar category.
Images from FP1
Lexus ahead in LMGT3, but BMW also in contention
The LMGT3 was once again hard-fought in all three free practice sessions. In FP1, the #31 Team WRT BMW held the advantage just ahead of the #78 Lexus. The Japanese manufacturers struck back in FP2, with the #87 of Clemens Schmid going fastest, just ahead of the #78 sister car. BMW (#46, van der Linde) and Ferrari (#21 Vista AF Corse, Rovera) are close behind on fastest lap time, with Porsche (#92) and Ford (#77) rounding out the FP2 top six.
LMGT3 at a glance:
- Lexus look to be in with a major chance of their maiden FIA WEC class victory after a solid performance so far this weekend.
- BMW is also a strong candidate for the spoils, particularly with the home favourite Valentino Rossi in the #46 car.
- Ferrari and Porsche cannot be counted out either, but will have to hope they have the pace on the long runs.
Images from FP2
All the times from the free practice sessions are available here: FP1, FP2, FP3. Qualifying gets underway on Saturday at 14:30 local time, and the six-hour race is due to start on Sunday at 13:00 local time.
Images © Endurance Archive (Walter Schruff / Ton Kerdijk)