Rigon Fastest in Free Practice at Silverstone

Photo: SRO/Patrick Hecq

Davide Rigon set the pace in the opening Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup session at Silverstone on Saturday morning, putting his SMP Racing entry on top at the end of Free Practice.

The Italian driver posted a best time of 1:58.781 in the No. 72 Ferrari 488 GT3 to go 0.218 seconds quicker than Luca Stolz’s Black Falcon Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Nicolas Jamin was third fastest for AKKA ASP, also taking the top spot in Pro-Am, while Seb Morris put Team Parker Racing ahead of both of the new-gen M-Sport-run Bentley Continental GT3s. 

Rigon’s session-topping lap time came despite a spin at Becketts for Miguel Molina that left the AF Corse-run car stranded in the gravel.

Several other drivers spun during the 90-minute session, including Frederic Makowiecki, Steven Kane and Alex Riberas.

Nico Bastian led the Silver Cup standings in the No. 90 AKKA ASP Mercedes, ninth overall, while the No. 77 Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 topped the Am Cup from 41st.

The start of the session was delayed 25 minutes for barrier repairs from a previous support series session. 

Pre-qualifying will get underway at 3:45 p.m. and will be streamed live on the series’ website and GT World YouTube channel.

RESULTS: Free Practice

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.