Hirakawa, G-Drive Lead FP1 at Monza

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Ryo Hirakawa set the fastest lap time in Free Practice 1 for the European Le Mans Series Four Hours of Monza on Friday afternoon, taking G-Drive Racing to the top of the time sheets.

The Japanese driver set a time of 1:36.963 in the No. 22 Oreca 07 Gibson during the 90-minute session, going eight tenths faster than the second-placed Cetilar Villorba Corse car.

Hirakawa co-drives the G-Drive car with Memo Rojas and Leo Roussel.

Giorgio Sernagiotto piloted Villorba Corse’s Dallara P217 Gibson, while High Class Racing’s similar Dallara went fourth-quickest in a strong outing for the Italian manufacturer’s chassic.

DragonSpeed finished the session in third with Nicolas Lapierre at the wheel of its No. 21 Oreca, just under one second down on the G-Drive entry that is also run by the American team.

Eurointernational led the way in LMP3 with Giorgio Mondini at the wheel of its No. 11 Ligier JS P3 Nissan, lapping the Milan circuit in 1:46.606.

The two United Autosports Ligiers were second and third, as Wayne Boyd was just 0.005 seconds quicker than Sean Rayhall.

Matteo Cairoli was the fastest GTE driver meanwhile, in Proton Competition’s Porsche 911 RSR. He logged a best time of 1:49.943.

Late addition Fernando Rees was second in class for Larbre Competition, less than three one-hundredths behind.

Track action continues tomorrow with Free Practice 2 at 9 a.m. local time.

RESULTS: Free Practice 1

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.