BMW and Alpine to Hyperpole at Le Mans

WECHyperCar

Jun 12

Who would have bet that a BMW M Hybrid V8 and an Alpine A424 would qualify in the top 4? Not many for sure. The red flag caused by Kobayashi in the #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid as he was about to knock the fastest lap after scoring the best times in the first and second sectors prevented some drivers like Hartley to be in the top 10. Nevertheless, Dries Vanthoor with #15 BMW M Hybrdi V8 and Paul Loup Chatin in #36 Alpine A424 would still be within the top 8 Hypercars qualifying for tomorrows Hyperpole of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1 BMW, 2 Cadillac, 2 Ferrari, 1 Alpine and 2 Porsche will fight for pole tomorrow.

Surprising Vanthoor on top

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans Qualifying 2024.

Dries Vanthoor in the #15 Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 he shares with Raffaele Marciello and Marco Wittmann delivered the fastest lap of the qualifying session of 3:24.465.

Two Cadillac Racing in top 5

Sebastien Bourdais was the second fastest of the session with #3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R. in 3:24.642, 0.177 seconds up Vanthoor’s Benchmark.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans Test Day 2024.

Sebastien Bourdais: “Not too shabby for a 45 year old. I’m really happy for the whole team. It was really difficult conditions. The first attempt I said ‘let’s go’ and didn’t back off. I got unlucky in the last sector, lost there-tenths because of a P2 car, but nevertheless a really solid lap. There was one shot and then after that there was traffic everywhere and people taking chances that would mess up your lap. I’m happy for the crew and for Cadillac. We’ll see about Hyperpole. You don’t know what’s going to happen with track conditions. But today was a good starting point. We made some changes after the afternoon practice and the car was really amazing.” Source: Cadillac Racing

Two Ferrari 499P in the mix

Last year pole sitter Antonio Fuoco posted a best time of 3:24.731 with #50 Ferrari 499P, 0.266 seconds off the pace. .

Alpine A424 fourth

Paul Loup Chatin was another national hero today by qualifying his Alpine A424 in P4.

Paul-Loup Chatin: " Although a place in the Hyperpole wasn’t the target this week, I'm incredibly happy for the team, and it was heart-warming to see the smiles on their faces when I got out of the car. This result is the first reward for all their hard work since the start of the project. Nicolas was, as always, incredible in sporting and human terms, giving me a tow. Ultimately, I didn't set my best time on this lap, but it shows our mindset: we all work in the same direction and are part of the same team. Each team member's work allows us to improve in many areas, and this set of details made the difference today before we quickly refocused on the preparations for the race in the evening." Source: Alpine Endurance Team

Alex Lynn (#2 Cadillac) confirmed the velocity of the Cadillac V-Series.R during a flying lap by delivering the fifth fastest lap of the session.

Alex Lynn: “Honestly, the car is on rails. Super happy with the session today. Definitely feel like the car is a big step better than last year and it’s just a pleasure to drive. It was a great hour in the car, enjoying my time and usually you go pretty fast when you’re having fun. We’ll see how this transfers to the night session and get ready for Hyperpole tomorrow.” Source: Cadillac Racing

Alessandro Pier Guidi in the #51 Ferrari 499P was 6th.

Two Porsche 963 to round the top eight

Kevin Estre was the seventh fastest driver in #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963.

Kévin Estre (Porsche 963 #6): “We had an hour to turn the fastest lap possible. A lot was going on out on the track – with 62 cars there was obviously a lot of overtaking. I did my best and ultimately it worked. Half a tenth of a second was the deciding factor in our favour. We now need to see where we can make tweaks to improve before the race. But right now, I’m excited about competing into the Hyperpole on Thursday." Source: Porsche

Thanks to the deleting of Kobayashi’s fastest laps (because causing red flag), Callum Ilott with JOTA Hertz Team Porsche 963 #12 will also take part to the Hyperpole tomorrow being classified in P8 of qualifying.

Callum Ilott (Porsche 963 #12): “That was close, but our eighth place is not bad at all considering we’re only a tenth of a second behind the fastest Porsche 963 from the Porsche works team. I reckon I got the most out of it, although with 62 cars out on the track, it was very hard to get a clear lap. One thing is sure, it’s what happens in the race that counts.” Source: Porsche