BMW returns triumphantly to Le Mans, dominating the track and setting the fastest time in Wednesday’s session. Surprisingly, none of the Toyota Gazoo cars managed to secure a spot in the Hyperpole, which is a rarity for the current world champions and five-time Le Mans winners.
In each class, only eight coveted positions were available on the Hyperpole grid. This made the qualifying session incredibly intense as drivers pushed their cars to the limit in search of a chance to compete.
Early on, many competitors in the top class set impressive lap times, resulting in the top 12 drivers being within a second of each other. As the clock ticked, the pressure increased, leading to spins from Hartley, Bortolotti, Estre, and Kobayashi as they fought to secure one of the eight spots.
Unfortunately for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Kobayashi’s crash just two and a half minutes before the end of the session dashed their hopes of qualifying for the Hyperpole. The incident caused a red flag, and the subsequent stewards nullified the times of car #7.
In the final 15 minutes, the action intensified, with Vanthoor making a remarkable leap from outside the Hyperpole positions to the top of the leaderboard. He achieved this feat with a lap time of 3:24.465 in the BMW M Hybrid V8 #15. Joining him on the Hyperpole grid are two Cadillacs, two Ferraris, two Porsches, and an Alpine.
There were also surprises in other classes. Malthe Jakobsen, driving the Oreca 07-Gibson #37 for COOL Racing, outperformed Louis Delétraz from AO by TF Racing in car #14, who had been the fastest in the afternoon practice session. Jakobsen completed a lap in 3:32.827, securing an admirable position. The United Autosports USA Oreca #23 also had a strong performance, finishing as the third fastest.
In the LMGT3 class, Ben Barker secured first place with a lap time of 3:55.263. The Inception Racing McLaren #70 showed great potential, securing second place after a consistent free practice session earlier in the day.
Unfortunately, the GR Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3 #86 had an electronic issue during free practice, preventing them from setting a qualifying time.
The teams participating in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans race have an additional four hours of track time to adjust their car settings before the main event. During this period, drivers will aim to complete as many laps as possible to familiarize themselves with the iconic and challenging circuit. The first session will take place from 15:00 to 18:00, followed by the second session from 22:00 to 23:00.
In the Hyperpole event, the top 24 cars (comprised of eight Hypercars, eight LMP2s, and eight LMGT3s) that qualified the previous day will compete for the perfect lap. The fastest lap time from each team of drivers will determine the overall ranking. Participants are not allowed to enter the pits or refuel during this event, but they can freely choose their tires from their allocated quota. A ceremony honoring the pole-sitters will be held on the pit straight after the Hyperpole. Last year, the AF Corse Ferrari 499P #50 claimed victory in the Hyperpole with a time of 03:22.982.
Here is the schedule for the upcoming events:
09:00 – 10:00: Fun Cup – Free Practice 2
09:00 – 17:00: Arnage in the Race
10:30 – 10:50: Road to Le Mans – Qualifying 1
11:05 – 11:25: Road to Le Mans – Qualifying 2
12:00 – 12:45: Fun Cup – Qualifying
13:15 – 14:00: Lamborghini Super Trofeo – Race 1
15:00 – 18:00: 24 Hours of Le Mans – Free Practice 3
18:30 – 19:25: Road to Le Mans – Race 1
20:00 – 20:30: 24 Hours of Le Mans – Hyperpole
20:30 – 23:00: OJOS and Bigflo & Oli Concert
20:35 – 21:15: 24 Hours of Le Mans – Hyperpole Ceremony
22:00 – 23:00: 24 Hours of Le Mans – Free Practice 4
© 2024
The new football season is about to begin and fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action. With the arrival of new players and the expectation of great games, excitement is in the air.
In the Flamengo team, the coach is confident in the team and believes they have what it takes to win the title. With a talented and well-trained squad, the players are ready to face any challenge that comes their way.
Meanwhile, Corinthians fans are excited about the arrival of heavyweight reinforcements. With experienced players and young prospects, the team is determined to achieve glory this season.
At Palmeiras, there is pressure to repeat last year’s success. With a strong squad and a skilled coach, the team is confident in its chances of winning another title.
Meanwhile, at Santos, the players are preparing intensely to face their rivals. With rigorous training and a winning mentality, they are ready to fight for the top of the table.
The rivalry between these teams promises to intensify the competition even further. The games will be played with great emotion and fans can expect great moments of football.
With the season about to begin, fans are eager to see who will stand out and who will face difficulties. It will be an intense battle for glory and only the best will prevail.
Get ready for an exciting football season and closely follow all the news and results. Brazil’s most beloved sport is back and promises a lot of excitement and rivalry.
