Masson Fastest in Silverstone FP1

European Le Mans Series points leaders Esteban Masson and VDS Panis Racing led the way in the opening Free Practice session for the 4 Hours of Silverstone as the British circuit welcomes the championship back for the first time in six years.

Masson steered the No. 48 Oreca 07 Gibson to a best lap of 1:43.485, outpacing the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition machine of Nick Yelloly by 0.051 seconds.

Enzo Fittipaldi took third aboard the No. 47 CLX Motorsport Oreca, followed by Matteo Cairoli and Theo Pourchaire for Iron Lynx-Proton and Algarve Pro Racing, respectively.

Daniel Juncadella picked up sixth in the No. 18 IDEC Sport Oreca, with the LMP2 Pro-Am entries of Nielsen Racing and Algarve Pro rounding out the top eight.

Griffin Peebles set the pace in the LMP3 ranks aboard the No. 12 WTM by Rinaldi Racing Duqueine D09 Toyota, as the Australian’s 1:53.947 was a mere 0.012 seconds quicker than Gillian Henrion in the No. 15 RLR M Sport Ligier JS P325 Toyota.

Michelle Gatting, meanwhile, led a Porsche 1-2 at the front the LMGT3 class as the Dane reeled off a 2:00.112 aboard the No. 85 Iron Dames 911 GT3 R.

Matteo Cressoni was second in the No. 60 Proton Competition Porsche, which has had a late lineup change compared to the initial entry list.

Christian Ried and Julien Andlauer have been replaced by Horst Felbermayr and Horst Felix Felbermayr, who were also confirmed as part of Proton’s LMP2 effort in the Asian Le Mans Series earlier this week.

The top three in class was rounded by the No. 82 TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the hands of Charlie Eastwood.

The second Free Practice session for the 4 Hours of Silverstone is scheduled for Saturday at 10:10 a.m. CEST (4:10 a.m. EST).

RESULTS: Free Practice 1