The Lusail International Circuit is buzzing with activity with the exhilarating Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 KM – FIA World Endurance Championship 2024, taking place for the first time in Qatar. On Thursday, the drivers got a feel for the high-speed Lusail International Circuit during free practice session. Fans witnessed drivers from FIA World Endurance Championship, Qatar Touring Car Championship and Lusail Classic offering a full spectrum of motor racing excellence.
The day saw the first free practice session of the eagerly anticipated season-opener Qatar 1812 KM – FIA World Endurance Championship 2024. Elite drivers acquainted themselves with the circuit’s state-of-the-art facilities and high-speed turns, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying round on Friday and the main race on Saturday.
This year’s lineup features an unprecedented 19 Hypercars and 18 LMGT3 entries from 14 manufacturers, including industry giants like Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche. The world’s premier racing talents are set to deliver electrifying performances in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season opener, racing in two categories (Hypercar and LMGT3) for nearly ten hours.
During free practice 1, the Hypercar category saw remarkable performances by Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Matt Campbell, leading by clocking the fastest lap of 1:42.486 on the 15th lap. Close on his heels was James Calado in his Ferrari 499P, clocking the second-fastest time at 1:42.532. Porsche’s Kévin Estre secured the third spot with a lap time of 1:42.593.
The LMGT3 category showcased equally impressive performances. Behind the wheel of a McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo, Nicolas Pino topped the category with a lap time of 1:55.824. Alessio Rovera in a Ferrari 296 LMGT3 was not far behind, securing a close second with a time of 1:55.983, while Davide Rigon in the same model of Ferrari completed the top three with a time of 1:56.069.
There were notable speed accomplishments, exemplified by a Ferrari 499P car hitting a top speed of 299.2 kilometers per hour on lap 27. This highlighted the fierce pace of the competition, with Estre in close pursuit.
The Lusail Classic Endurance Race brought fans a nostalgic journey through the golden age of World Endurance Championship racing. In this 60-minute practice session, 24 veteran drivers from Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Lichtenstein, Portugal, Switzerland, and the USA competed, reviving the spirit of prototype and GT racing from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.
Kyle Tilley, driving the 1974 Chevron B27S, set the pace with the fastest lap of 2:01.427. Tony Sinclair, in the 1973 Lola T292, followed with a close second lap time of 2:07.685, and Jamie Constable, driving the 1971 Chevron B19, completed the top three with a lap of 2:07.872.
The Qatar Touring Car Championship also saw thrilling action on the circuit, with drivers G.Al Madheed, I.Al-Mannai, and A.Al-Sayed clinching the top three positions, showcasing their skill and competitive spirit on the track.