Bernhard Tops Test Session, Sarrazin Crashes in Mexico City

Photo: Porsche

Porsche has topped the time charts in Thursday’s Collective Test at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, in a session overshadowed by a heavy crash by Stephane Sarrazin in the No. 6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid.

Sarrazin lost control of his LMP1 contender in the final corner and slammed hard into the pit wall, bringing out of one two red flags in the 90-minute test session.

While the Frenchman escaped injury, extensive front and rear damage was sustained. A Toyota spokesperson told Sportscar365 that it’s unclear if the car will be fixed in time for Free Practice 1 this afternoon.

Timo Bernhard, meanwhile, led the way with a best lap of 1:26.847, edging out the No. 8 Audi R18 of Loic Duval just at the end of the session.

The No. 2 Porsche of Romain Dumas was third quickest overall, followed by the No. 7 Audi in fourth.

Rene Rast posted the quickest time in LMP2 in his No. 26 G-Drive Racing Oreca 05 Nissan, while Gianmaria Bruni (AF Corse) and Wolf Henzler (KCMG) topped the time charts in GTE-Pro and GTE-Am, respectively.

No other major incidents were reported, other than Sarrazin’s accident.

The Collective Test marked the first on-track running for all WEC competitors, ahead of the start of official track action, which gets underway at 1:30 p.m. CT with FP1.

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