European Le Mans Series: Spa-Francorchamps Practice Report
In an impressive display during the opening practice session of the European Le Mans Series at Spa-Francorchamps, Alex Quinn of Algarve Pro Racing clocked the fastest time at 2:01.091 aboard the #20 Pro/Am-entered ORECA 07 – Gibson. Quinn set the benchmark early in the 90-minute session, establishing a lead over the standard LMP2 entries.
Nick Yelloly followed in the #43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA, finishing 0.392 seconds behind Quinn, while Daniel Juncadella secured third in the #18 IDEC Sport ORECA. Rounding out the top five were Pro/Am entries from Proton Competition and TDS Racing, with Grégoire Saucy and Charles Milesi in sixth and seventh, respectively, in the #22 United Autosports and championship-leading #48 VDS Panis Racing ORECA.
Quinn’s performance builds on his strong showing during Wednesday’s pre-event test, further solidifying his competitive edge at Spa.
In LMP3, Rik Koen dominated the field with a time of 2:11.169 in the #8 Team Virage Ligier JS P325 – Toyota, leading by over a second. Theodor Jensen and Griffin Peebles completed the top three with respective times of 2:12.223 and a solid run in the #12 WTM by Rinaldi Racing Duqueine D09.
LMGT3 saw United Autosports’ Wayne Boyd make headlines, putting the #23 LMGT3 Evo on top with a time of 2:17.981. Alessio Picariello’s #60 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 R followed closely, while Miguel Molina’s #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari rounded out the top three.
The session experienced a brief halt due to a red flag for debris at Turns 6 and 19, occurring ten minutes into the practice.
Track action at Spa continues with the Bronze Test later today, followed by Free Practice 2 and Qualifying tomorrow.
Free Practice 1 Results:
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20 Algarve Pro Racing – Alex Quinn (2:01.091)
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43 Inter Europol Competition – Nick Yelloly
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18 IDEC Sport – Daniel Juncadella
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77 Proton Competition – Bent Viscaal
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29 TDS Racing – Mathias Beche
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This session sets a thrilling stage for the rest of the weekend, as teams prepare for competitive battles ahead.
