Toyota Quickest in Shortened FP3

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Toyota Gazoo Racing has continued to set the pace in Shanghai, with the pair of Toyota TS050 Hybrids quickest again in a shortened Free Practice 3.

The No. 7 entry of Kamui Kobayashi led the way with a fast lap of 1:44.888 in the 60-minute scheduled session, which ended 20 minutes early due to track curbing issues.

Chunks of concrete came loose on the inside of Turn 3, causing a red flag. The session did not resume.

The stoppage came after two Full Course Yellows, also for debris, but in other areas of the track.

Drama, meanwhile struck the championship-leading No. 2 Porsche 919 Hybrid, which completed only six laps after gearbox-related issues for Brendon Hartley.

The Kiwi limped the car into the pits following the resumption of the first FCY. It did not return in the session, with gearbox components to be replaced prior to qualifying this afternoon.

The No. 26 G-Drive Racing Oreca 07 Gibson of Nico Mueller led the way in LMP2, with Marco Sorensen’s No. 95 Aston Martin Vantage GTE and No. 54 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GTE of Miguel Molina topping GTE-Pro and GTE-Am, respectively.

Qualifying is set to begin at 2 p.m. local time.

RESULTS: Free Practice 3

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