Gounon Leads Mercedes-AMG 1-2 in Paul Ricard Practice

Jules Gounon set the pace in Saturday’s Free Practice session ahead of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season opener at Paul Ricard.

The Andorran driver steered the No. 2 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo to a best lap of 1:53.912, making Gounon the only driver to dip below the 1:54 marker across the two-hour session.

Gounon’s best effort, which came with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, was good enough to outpace the No. 60 2 Seas Motorsports Mercedes-AMG of Martin Kodric by 0.114 seconds.

Charles Weerts slotted into third with a late-session flyer, recording a 1:54.049 at the wheel of the No. 32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 ahead of the No. 98 ROWE Racing-entered example driven by Philipp Eng.

Louis Prette complete the top five aboard the No. 188 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, leading the Bronze Cup category in the process.

Lucas Auer picked up sixth aboard the No. 48 Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter entry, leading Kessel Racing’s Niccolo Rosi and the No. 97 Rutronik Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R piloted by Dennis Marschall.

Marschall, as well as the No. 998 ROWE Racing BMW of Max Hesse, both set identical times and posted a 1:54.162 to end up eighth and ninth, respectively.

Roee Meyuhas completed the overall top ten and topped the Silver Cup standings aboard the No. 10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG.

Fifty three out of 54 cars entered for this weekend’s event completed mileage during the session, with the exception of the No. 21 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.

The Silver Cup-entered car triggered a red flag in the opening minutes when Sam Dejonghe went off at Turn 3 and caused damage to the rear of the car, causing the session to be halted.

The No. 911 Pure Rxcing Porsche, meanwhile, went out on track but did not set a time due to transponder issues.

Of note, this weekend’s Endurance Cup opener has seen one withdrawal as the No. 33 Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II has disappeared from the entry list.

Track action for Fanatec GT Europe continues with Pre-Qualifying, scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CEST (9:05 a.m. EDT).

RESULTS: Free Practice