Audi Paces Free Practice 1 in Fuji

Photo: Vincent Wouters

Audi led the way in opening Free Practice for Sunday’s FIA WEC Six Hours of Fuji.

The No. 7 Audi R18 of Marcel Fassler topped the time charts in the 90-minute session, having reeled off a best time of 1:25.030.

The story of the morning, however, was the return to form of Toyota, with the No. 6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid of Kamui Kobayshi ending the session second quickest and only 0.526 seconds slower than the Audi’s pace-setting time.

Audi’s No. 8 entry was third quickest in the hands of Loic Duval, followed by a late improvement by Sebastien Buemi, who put the No. 5 Toyota fourth in the session.

Both of the Porsche 919 Hybrids struggled, ending up fifth and sixth, with an oil leak keeping the No. 2 Porsche in the garage for the majority of the session.

Neel Jani and Marc Lieb combined to complete 18 laps in the car.

Alex Brundle led the way in LMP2, while the No. 67 Ford GT of Andy Priaulx was quickest in GTE-Pro, edging out the No. 77 Dempsey Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR, on improved form.

GTE-Am was topped by the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia of Emmanuel Collard.

Free Practice 2 gets underway at 3:30 p.m. local time.

RESULTS: Free Practice 1

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John