Racing One Ferrari Captures Top Spot in Third Session

Luca Ludwig set the fastest time of the weekend thus far in the third qualifying practice session for the Nürburgring 24, while Porsche runners struggled with rear punctures throughout the session.

Last year’s pole-sitter steered the Goodyear-shod Racing One Ferrari 296 GT3 to a best effort of 8:12.443 during his last lap of the 75-minute session.

He remained just over a second clear of the No. 5 Scherer Sport PHX Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II of Alexander Sims, with the No. 911 Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R in third.

The ‘Grello’ Porsche was one of a number of cars from the German manufacturer to encounter punctures on Friday afternoon.

Julien Andlauer ran into trouble first in the No. 96 Rutronik Racing entry, while Makowiecki aboard the Manthey car, Huber Motorsport’s Come Ledogar and Falken Motorsports driver Nico Menzel all stopped on track.

The Type-992 Porsche 911 GT3 R received Balance of Performance changes on Thursday evening that included a 20 kg minimum weight increase to 1320 kg, along with a 1 mm larger air restrictor size and increases to the car’s rake and rear wing angle.

Fabian Schiller came fourth aboard the No. 2 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, with Kelvin van der Linde completing the top five aboard the No. 27 ABT Sportsline Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo.

The No. 6 Mercedes-AMG, which had topped the first and second session, dropped to sixth in the combined order after the car’s fastest lap from Qualifying 2 was deleted for a pit lane speeding penalty incurred on Thursday night.

Arjun Maini still went sixth-fastest in the third session with an 8:14.133.

Nicky Catsburg put the No. 30 Frikadelli Ferrari seventh, ahead of the No. 3 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG of Maro Engel.

The No. 20 WTM by Rinaldi Racing Ferrari of Daniel Keilwitz and No. 16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi of Ricardo Feller rounded out the top ten.

Track action for the Nürburgring 24 continues with Top Qualifying this evening, with the first session due to start at 5:30 p.m. CEST (11:50 a.m. ET).

RESULTS: Qualifying (Combined) / Qualifying 3 laps per car