Aston Martin THOR Team Tops Second Practice in Barcelona
In a commanding display during the second practice session of the weekend at Barcelona, the Aston Martin THOR Team’s #007 Valkyrie, driven by Harry Tincknell, set the fastest lap of the event with a time of 1:31.712. This result follows a fifth-place finish in the earlier session, marking a notable improvement.
Tincknell remarked, “P5 in the first session and P1 in the second session is great for the Valkyrie. I’m looking forward to qualifying tomorrow.” He noted the challenges posed by the low-grip conditions, stating, “It’s not easy; we’re sliding around all over the place.”
The practice session saw significant changes in the standings compared to the first. The #17 Genesis GMR-001, piloted by Mathys Jaubert, secured second place with a lap of 1:31.750 on medium compound Michelin tires. The #83 AF Corse Ferrari, which had previously topped FP1, finished in third with Robert Kubica recording a 1:31.795.
Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s #12 V-Series.R placed fourth, with driver Will Stevens achieving a time of 1:31.804. “There’s a lot of tyre degradation for everyone, as expected at this track,” noted teammate Norman Nato, emphasizing the focus on managing tire performance leading into qualifying.
The session concluded with the #7 Toyota and #38 JOTA Cadillac rounding out the top five and six positions, respectively.
In the LMGT3 category, Garage 59’s #58 McLaren LMGT3 EVO, driven by Finn Gehrsitz, led with a time of 1:41.650, outperforming the #78 AKKODIS ASP Lexus by three tenths. The #79 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG secured third with a time of 1:42.180.
The next series of practices will include a split format, accommodating both LMGT3 and Hypercar qualifying on Saturday. FP3 for LMGT3 participants starts at 08:50 local time, followed by a Hypercar-only session at 12:40.
Overall, the second practice in Barcelona showcased the competitive landscape heading into qualifying, with tire management emerging as a critical factor for success amidst the demanding circuit conditions.
