Audi Tops Friday Practice at Fuji

Photo: John Dagys

Audi ended the day at Fuji Speedway atop the time charts, as its pair of diesel-powered LMP1-H cars led the way in both Free Practice sessions for Sunday’s FIA WEC Six Hours of Fuji.

Lucas Di Grassi ended up quickest on Friday, pedaling his No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro to a best lap of 1:27.852. The Brazilian edged out teammate Marcel Fassler by 0.551 seconds.

Both times were set early in the afternoon’s second 90-minute session, which was interrupted for a full-course caution procedure to retrieve a stopped Ferrari.

Porsche ended the day third quickest, with the No. 14 entry of Neel Jani, followed by the pair of Toyota TS040 Hybrids, which completed the top-five overall and in class.

The No. 13 Rebellion R-One Toyota ended up quickest in LMP1-L, but more than four seconds off the pace of the leading Audis.

G-Drive Racing was quickest in LMP2, with Olivier Pla’s 1:34.027 from the afternoon some three-tenths quicker than the Frenchman’s pace-setting time in the opening session.

GTE-Pro was led by the No. 97 Aston Martin Vantage of Darren Turner and Stefan Muecke, the only GTE entry to dip into the 1:39s.

The No. 98 Aston Martin entry of Pedro Lamy, meanwhile, was quickest in GTE-Am, helping lead a sweep for the British manufacturer in the opening day of track action.

Aside from the FCY in the second session, no other significant incidents were reported.

A final 60-minute practice session is on tap for Saturday morning, followed by qualifying in the afternoon.

RESULTS: Free Practice 2

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