McNish Tops Practice 1 in Shanghai

Photo: John Dagys

Audi Sport Team Joest led the way in opening practice as FIA World Endurance Championship teams prepare for Saturday’s Six Hours of Shanghai.

Allan McNish ended up quickest overall, thanks to a 1:47.442 lap time set early in the two-hour session. The Scot edged out the No. 8 Toyota TS030 Hybrid of Sebastien Buemi by 0.407 seconds.

The No. 1 Audi of Benoit Treluyer, Marcel Fassler and Andre Lotterer were third quickest, ahead of the second Toyota in fourth overall and in LMP1.

Robbie Kerr led a 1-2 for G-Drive Racing by Delta-ADR in LMP2, with the Englishman reeling off a 1:55.264 in his No. 25 Oreca 03 Nissan. The team’s No. 26 entry was second on the time sheets.

GTE-Pro was led by the No. 97 Aston Martin Vantage V8 of Darren Turner, while Paulo Ruberti topped the time sheets in GTE-Am aboard his Proton Competition Porsche.

No major incidents were reported during the session, which began under overcast skies before clearing in the final 40 minutes.

A second and final practice session is on tap for 12 p.m. local.

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