Brendon Hartley’s #8 Toyota GR010 set the pace with a 1:37.692 in second free practice for the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Monza, which was interrupted by a red flag just under half way into the hour and a half session.
Timo van der Helm crashed the #44 ARC Bratislava Oreca 07-Gibson at the second chicane, putting his left rear onto the grass and spinning into the barriers on drivers’ left. The car was damaged but the Dutchman made his way slowly back to the pits, although barrier work needed to be done, delaying the session further.
After the session resumed, Hartley held onto the top spot until the end of the session. With around 20 minutes to go, the #93 Peugeot slowed on track and returned to the pits — more teething issues for the French manufacturer with its brand new cars?
Before this, though, Mikkel Jensen set the second fastest time, just 0.083 behind the lead Toyota. In third was the #708 Glickenhaus 007, which had previously set the fastest time in FP1 on Friday. Pipo Derani ended FP2 just over two and half tenths off Hartley.
Fourth, fifth and sixth were the sister #94 Peugeot, with Gustavo Menezes setting the car’s fastest time. Fifth was the #36 Alpine A480, while the #7 Toyota brought up the rear in Hypercar.
Over in LMP2, the #22 United Autosports Oreca 07-Gibson led the way, with Filipe Albuquerque setting a 1:38.917. In second was the #83 AF Corse Oreca 07-Gibson of Alessio Rovera, while third in class went to Robin Frijns in the #31 WRT Oreca 07-Gibson.
Gianmaria Bruni had the honour of setting the GTE-Pro class’s fastest lap in the session, with the #91 Porsche 911 RSR-19 driver lapping the iconic Italian circuit in 1:46.245. Second and third were the two AF Corse Ferraris, #52, with Miguel Molina at the wheel, followed by #51, driven by James Calado.
GTE-Am was another Porsche and Ferrari affair. Mikkel Pedersen led the way in the #56 Team Project 1 Porsche 911 RSR-19, setting a 1:47.738. Toni Villander was second in the #21 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO, while teammate Nick Cassidy was third in the #54 AF Corse Ferrari.
FP3 begins at 1:30pm local time, followed by qualifying at 5:30pm.
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