Paul di Resta showcased his exceptional driving skills putting Peugeot firmly at the forefront of the competition in the opening practice session for the 2024 FIA WEC 8H Bahrain.
The session held under sweltering conditions at the Bahrain International Circuit, was a crucial opportunity for teams to fine-tune their setups and strategies ahead of the season finale.
As the green flag waved signaling the start of the 90-minute practice session, Paul di Resta wasted no time in asserting Peugeot’s dominance. Driving the #94 Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar, he quickly set a blistering lap time of 1:50.837, a mark that would ultimately secure him the top position on the timing sheets.
Di Resta’s performance was not only impressive due to its speed but also highlighted his ability to adapt to the challenging track conditions, with ambient temperatures soaring above 30°C and track temperatures reaching a scorching 40°C.
Following closely behind the Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar was Frederic Makowiecki in the #5 Porsche Penske 963, who clocked in at 1:50.886, just 0.049 seconds off di Resta’s pace. The close competition between the two manufacturers set an electrifying tone for the remaining sessions and hinted at a thrilling battle for supremacy in the WEC 8H Bahrain season finale.
Antonio Giovinazzi, representing Ferrari’s AF Corse team in the #51 Ferrari 499P, also demonstrated competitive form by securing third place with a time of 1:51.041. His performance was particularly noteworthy as it came on the heels of Ferrari’s recent victory at Fuji, showcasing their continued momentum as they head into this final round of the championship.
Di Resta’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne in the second Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar entry (#93), initially held a strong position but ultimately finished fourth with a lap time of 1:51.052. This performance underscored the manufacturer’s overall strength in this practice session, with both cars finishing within striking distance of each other and maintaining a solid presence in the top tier of competitors.
Completing the top five was Laurens Vanthoor in the #6 Porsche Penske 963 entry, who recorded a time of 1:51.116. The competitive nature of this practice session was further emphasized by how closely matched the top drivers were; just over two-tenths of a second separated first from fifth place.
Vanthoor was followed by the lone Iron Lynx Lamborghini SC63, which slotted in a respectable sixth quickest time with Daniil Kvyat at the wheel.
The fastest of the Toyota GR010 Hybrids was the No. 8 entry in the hands of Sebastien Buemi in seventh, ahead of the pair of Team WRT-run BMW M Hybrid V8s and No. 7 Toyota, which completed the top-ten.
In the LMGT3 class, Kelvin van der Linde piloted the #78 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F LMGT3 to a leading lap time of 2:02.079, showcasing his prowess and setting a benchmark for other competitors in this category.
Following him was Alessio Rovera in the #55 Ferrari from AF Corse, who finished second with a time that highlighted Ferrari’s competitive edge in both Hypercar and GT classes.
The #60 Lamborghini Huracan LMGT3 EVO2 ran a fastest time of 2:02.818 to take third as AF Corse’s #54 Ferrari took fourth with Davide Rigon’s lap time of 2:03.037.
Proton’s Ben Barker rounded out the top-five. The #77 Ford Mustang LMGT3 driver set a 1:03.060 having driven exactly 15-minutes in the session.
The practice session was not without its interruptions; a brief full-course yellow flag was waved about 25 minutes into the session. However, this did little to disrupt teams’ strategies as they utilized this time to evaluate tire performances and refine their setups on one of the most abrasive surfaces faced by WEC competitors.
As drivers returned to their garages after completing their stints on track, discussions about tire strategies and car handling were prevalent among team engineers and drivers alike. The high temperatures posed unique challenges regarding tire degradation and grip levels, making this practice session vital for understanding how cars would perform over longer stints ahead of Sunday’s WEC 8H Bahrain race.
With WEC 8H Bahrain FP2 scheduled for later in the day, teams are eager to build upon their findings from FP1. The stakes are high as they prepare not only for an exhilarating race but also to secure valuable points that could influence championship standings.
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