LMGT3 Free Practice 3 Results at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: Mann Tops Time Sheets
Vista AF Corse’s Simon Mann posted the fastest time in the hour-long Free Practice 3 session for LMGT3 cars at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, clocking a 1:41.696. The session, held under cool and foggy conditions, saw Mann make significant improvements to his #21 296 LMGT3, establishing a clear lead 25 minutes in.
Mann’s time was 0.442 seconds quicker than the second-fastest car and just shy of the weekend’s best, a 1:41.650 by Finn Gehrsitz in Free Practice 2. Mann notably recovered from a brief off-track excursion into the gravel early in the session.
The runner-up position went to Rui Andrade in the #61 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG, who recorded a time of 1:42.138 with 22 minutes remaining, while the #87 Lexus from AKKODIS ASP claimed third place shortly after. Benji Goethe in the #58 Garage 59 McLaren finished fourth with a 1:42.607, and the #88 Proton Ford Mustang rounded out the top five.
Championship leaders—#33 TF Sport Corvette and #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin—finished in 15th and 13th positions, respectively, struggling under 42 kilograms of success ballast. Ian James, team principal and driver for Heart of Racing, suggested strategic adjustments were necessary, indicating, “We’re not going to win it on pace, but the car is nice to drive.”
Nicky Catsburg from the #33 Corvette expressed optimism for wet conditions, stating, “I hope it rains. I think we’ll be good in the wet.”
Qualifying and Hyperpole for LMGT3 are set for today at 11:50 local time, with Free Practice 3 for Hypercars following at 12:40.
Key Times:
- Simon Mann (#21 Ferrari) – 1:41.696
- Rui Andrade (#61 Mercedes-AMG) – 1:42.138
- AKKODIS ASP (#87 Lexus) – 1:42.140
- Benji Goethe (#58 McLaren) – 1:42.607
- Proton Ford Mustang (#88) – Time within one second of Mann
Next Steps:
- LMGT3 Qualifying: 11:50 Local Time
- Hypercar Free Practice 3: 12:40 Local Time
