BMW M Team WRT topped the second free practice session (FP2) at the 2024 WEC Fuji narrowly edging out Porsche in a fiercely competitive outing.
Dries Vanthoor, behind the wheel of the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, clocked an impressive lap time of 1:29.577, marking a major achievement for the team and setting the stage for an exciting race weekend.
As the penultimate round of the 2024 season, the 6 Hours of Fuji is a crucial event for all teams involved.
The Fuji Speedway, renowned for its picturesque setting at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, offers a challenging 4.563-kilometer layout that tests both driver skill and vehicle performance. The track features a long straight that allows drivers to exploit their cars’ capabilities, making it a favorite among competitors and fans alike.
The day began with high expectations following a competitive first practice session, where Laurens Vanthoor had set the fastest time for Porsche.
The atmosphere was charged as teams prepared for WEC Fuji FP2, eager to gather more data and refine their setups in anticipation of the race. The session commenced under clear skies, with track temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius, creating a challenging environment for tire management and vehicle dynamics.
As the session unfolded, it became clear that the competition would be fierce. Dries Vanthoor delivered a blistering lap time of 1:29.577 aboard the No. 15 Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 securing the top position in a tightly packed timesheet among the leading manufacturers.
The Belgian’s performance was particularly impressive given the narrow margin by which he edged out the #5 Penske Porsche 963, driven by Matt Campbell, who finished just 0.009 seconds behind.
In third place was the #2 Cadillac Racing entry, piloted by Alex Lynn, who managed a commendable lap time of 1:29.592. The top three entries were separated by a mere 0.015 seconds, showcasing the extraordinary level of competition in this session.
The #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499p, driven by Robert Kubica, placed fourth with a time of 1:29.904, marking it as the fastest of the Scuderia entries. Meanwhile, Ryo Hirakawa secured fifth place in the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid marking the fastest Toyota in their home event.
The sixth position was claimed by Robin Frijns in the sister BMW M Hybrid V8, further solidifying the manufacturer’s strong showing in FP2. This performance not only bolstered BMW’s confidence but also set the stage for a potential showdown in the race, as the team looks to capitalize on their momentum.
Antonio Giovinazzi took seventh aboard the factory Ferrari499p marking the last driver to break 1m30s with a 1m29.975s. Oliver Rasmussen in the #38 Porsche run by the privateer Jota team took eighth ahead of the sister Toyota in the hands of Kamui Kobayashi.
The top 10 was rounded out by the second of the Penske Porsches in which Kevin Estre was still three tenths up on team-mate Vanthoor’s morning best. Alpine took 11th and 13th positions with its pair of Signatech A424 LMDhs, Charles Milesi ending up little more than a tenth ahead of Matthieu Vaxiviere.
Best of the Peugeot 9X8 2024 LMHs was the #93 car in which Mikkel Jensen took 14th spot as the last driver within a second of the pace. The solo Iron Lynx Lamborghini SC63 LMDh was down 17th in Daniil Kvyat’s hands.
In the LMGT3 category, Alessio Rovera in the #55 VISTA AF Corse Ferrari emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a lap time of 1:40.682. This performance was crucial for the team as they aim for a strong finish in the championship standings.
TF Sport’s Hiroshi Koizumi initially led the session with a time of 1:40.851 in the #82 Corvette, but ultimately settled for second place. The top three in LMGT3 were rounded out by Franck Perera in the #60 Iron Lynx Lamborghini Huracan, showcasing the competitive depth within the category.
However, the session was not without its drama, as several drivers struggled with issues throughout the 90-minute practice. The #93 Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar encountered issues that resulted in a five-minute penalty for a yellow flag infringement, affecting their overall performance.
Additionally, the #50 Ferrari AF Corse entry spent a lot of time in the pits, hampering their ability to set competitive lap times.
Track action at 2024 WEC Fuji resumes on Saturday with a final, hour-long session of free practice beginning at 10:20 local time before qualifying kicks off at 14:20.
