Lone Star Le Mans Day One: Ferrari AF Corse Dominate Hypercars and TF Sport Lead GT3 Free Practice

The Lone Star Le Mans kicked off with an action-packed Friday, as teams in both the Hypercar and GT3 classes took to the track for the first two free practice sessions. The Circuit of The Americas provided a challenging and demanding layout for the competitors, and the early pace set by the various teams was impressive.

Hypercar Class

In the Hypercar class, which features the most technologically advanced and powerful cars in the field, the Ferrari AF Corse team continued their strong form from previous races. Alessandro Guide and Antonio Giovinazzi once again topped the timesheets in both free practice sessions, demonstrating their exceptional speed and consistency. Their dominance in the Hypercar class is a testament to the competitiveness of the Ferrari.

However, teammates Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen showed impressive pace throughout the day, consistently challenging for top honors. The second Ferrari proved to be a formidable competitor, and the battle between these two cars from the same  manufacturer is expected to be intense throughout the race weekend.

Other notable performances in the Hypercar class came from the BMW M Team WRT team, with Sheldon Van Der Linde and Robin Frijns, and the Cadillac Racing with Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn. Both teams demonstrated competitive speed and will be looking to challenge for podium positions.

GT3 Class

In the GT3 class, which features production-based sports cars modified for racing, the competition was equally fierce. The Corvette Z06 LMGT3, driven by Hiroshi Koizumi and Sebastien Baud, set the pace in the first free practice session. Their strong performance was a testament to the competitiveness of the Corvette in the GT3 class.

However, the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 proved to be a worthy rival. The car driven by Francouis Heriau and Simon Man was consistently fast throughout the day, and they finished second in both free practice sessions. The Ferrari 296 has been a strong contender in GT3 racing, and its performance in the Lone Star Le Mans was impressive.

Other notable performances in the GT3 class came from the Lexus RC F, the Lamborghini Huracan and the Porsche 11. These cars have all shown strong pace in previous races and will be looking to challenge for the GT3 victory.

Overall Impressions

The first two free practice sessions at the Lone Star Le Mans provided a glimpse into what promises to be an exciting and competitive race. The Hypercar class is expected to be a close battle between the Ferrari AF Corse teams, while the GT3 class is also likely to feature several contenders. With so much talent on display, the Lone Star Le Mans is shaping up to be a must-watch event for endurance racing fans.