Auer Keeps GruppeM Mercedes on Top in FP2 in Abu Dhabi

Photo: JEP/SRO

Lucas Auer has kept the No. 98 GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo on top of the time sheets in the second and final Free Practice session prior to qualifying for Sunday’s Gulf 12 Hours.

The Austrian, who suffered an accident at the wheel of the car on Friday, reeled off a best lap of 1:51.849 halfway through the 60-minute session to end up quickest.

Auer’s time was 0.087 seconds faster than teammate Dani Juncadella in the No. 89 GruppeM Mercedes, which could win the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli drivers’ title with the Spaniard and co-drivers Jules Gounon and Raffaele Marciello.

The No. 66 Team Tressor Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II of Kelvin van der Linde, Dennis Marschall and Mattia Drudi was third quickest, followed by the Al Manar Racing by GetSpeed Mercedes and pair of AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020s.

The top six cars were all IGTC-nominated entries.

Garage 59’s Sky Tempesta-themed McLaren 720S GT3 of Chris Froggatt led the way in GT3 Pro-Am with the seventh quickest time overall, while GT3 Am was paced by the No. 11 Kessel Racing Ferrari.

The No. 92 Centri Porsche Ticino Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car was again quickest of the GT Cup entrants.

Qualifying, which will comprise of four 15-minute sessions for each driver, is set to get underway at 5 p.m. local time.

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