Duqueine Dominance: R-ace GP Secures Front Row for Le Mans Cup Opener
Barcelona, [Date] – Reigning Le Mans Cup champions R-ace GP have clinched the front row for the season opener in Barcelona, with their Duqueine D09s showing exceptional speed during the qualifying session. Enzo Peugeot secured pole position for the #85 car, posting a rapid time of 1:36.357 just four minutes before the session concluded.
Peugeot, who navigated notable traffic during his lap, expressed pride in the team’s performance. “Super proud of the team, we’ve put the cars 1-2, that’s the best view for the main straight later today. I think with clear air we’re going to be able to take care of the tyres. We’ll work together; we’re one family, our goal is to finish 1-2,” he stated.
The second position was filled by teammate Zack Scoular in the #86, while Brutal Fish Campos Racing made a promising debut, securing third and fourth with Matus Ryba and Arthur Rogeon driving the #19 and #12 Ligiers, respectively. The #8 BWT Muecke Motorsport Duqueine rounded out the top five, clocking in seven tenths off pole time.
In the LMP3 Pro/Am class, Inter Europol’s #34 JS P325, driven by Alexander Bukhantsov, took pole with a time of 1:39.209, nearly three-tenths ahead of the #71 Rinaldi Racing Ligier. Shawn Rashid, Bukhantsov’s teammate, noted, “It’s been a challenge for a couple of days in testing, so it’s nice to see it all coming together. We’re looking good.”
In the GT3 category, Sebastian Moreno delivered a standout performance for Code Racing Developments, earning pole with a commanding 1:42.239. He finished 1.3 seconds ahead of his competition, admitting surprise at the gap but emphasizing the importance of race pace. “What matters is the race pace, and I think the Ferraris will be strong in the race,” he observed.
The AF Corse Ferraris occupied the second and third slots, with Rey Acosta III and Alessandro Cozzi recording times of 1:43.6. Kessel Racing’s #21 and SMC Motorsport’s #77 McLaren completed the top five.
The two-hour Le Mans Cup opening race is scheduled to commence at 18:20 local time and will be available for streaming via the FIAWEC+ platform.
