Kessel Racing Leads Gulf 12H at Six-Hour Mark

Kessel Racing’s No. 11 Ferrari 488 GT3 of Michael Broniszewski, Giacomo Piccini and Davide Rigon leads the 2016 Gulf 12 Hours at the halfway point at Yas Marina Circuit.

Piccini took the lead after on lap 115 and crossed the line 37.162 seconds ahead of the No. 88 Dragon Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 of Nic Minassian at the end of the first six-hour part of the race.

The top-three overall finished the first part of the race on the lead lap, with the No. 16 GP Extreme Renault RS01 almost one lap behind the leading Ferrari.

The pole-sitting Kessel Ferrari lost the lead to the No. 24 Ligier JS P3 of Alexandre Cougnaud on lap 3, but the LMP3 cars were unable to stay ahead of the GT cars, mainly due to mandatory additional stops.

After six hours of racing, the No. 24 Ligier leads the Proto class, with the team’s No. 5 car nine seconds behind in second place. The No. 23 United Autosports Ligier is in third place.

Spirit of Race’s No. 51 Ferrari leads the Pro-Am class, while the No. 99 Herberth Motorsport Porsche holds a one-lap lead in the Gentlemen class. In the GTX class Scuderia Villorba Corse’s No. 50 Maserati MC GT4 leads at the halfway point.

The race was neutralized for one hour and 43 minutes, after the No. 61 GDL Racing Middle East Lamborghini Huracan ST of Jim Michaelian crashed heavily, damaging the barriers.

It was the second incident in the race, after the No. 78 Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini was hit by one of the LMP3 cars and then crashed into the barriers.

RESULTS: After six hours