Rob
11th December 2015, 07:43
Clearwater Ferrari tops final free practice
http://i65.tinypic.com/21lsr6b.jpg
Wet conditions made the drivers' life difficult at the start of the third free practice session for the 2015 Sepang 12 Hours. During the opening stages, lap times could not get under 2'10, but when the sun came out some fifteen minutes before the end of the session, things improved rather quickly.
In the end it was the #1 Clearwater Racing Ferrari - which had only left pitlane for the first time five minutes before the end of the session - that topped the timing sheets. Gianmaria Bruni set three fastest laps in a row, eventually clocking a 2'05.066. Laurens Vanthoor in the #17 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi was the only driver getting near last year's winner, clocking a time just under half a second slower. All other teams decided not to go for a fast lap in the dying minutes of the session.
Good news is that both the #80 Team Proton Lotus Exige and the #86 Wing Hin Motorsport Toyota, both struck by mechanical issues yesterday, took part in the session. Qualifying for the Sepang 12 Hours starts at 15.00 (UTC +8). Followed by the Shoot out (Top 15 cars) @17.00 (UTC +8).
Gianmaria Bruni (# Clearwater Racing Ferrari, winner 2014 Sepang 12 Hours): "It is always nice to be back here in Malaysia. The Sepang 12 Hours is a very challenging race, especially because of the heat and the humidity. In the past I tried to fly over early to adapt to those conditions, but that did not really work out for me. So know I do some workouts in the heat, to get used to it. The track in itself is one of the best circuits around, really enjoyable for a driver. We have high ambitions, Clearwater Racing have won the last two editions of the race, even though the competition is very high this year. It will not be easy, but we are ready to take them on."
http://i65.tinypic.com/21lsr6b.jpg
Wet conditions made the drivers' life difficult at the start of the third free practice session for the 2015 Sepang 12 Hours. During the opening stages, lap times could not get under 2'10, but when the sun came out some fifteen minutes before the end of the session, things improved rather quickly.
In the end it was the #1 Clearwater Racing Ferrari - which had only left pitlane for the first time five minutes before the end of the session - that topped the timing sheets. Gianmaria Bruni set three fastest laps in a row, eventually clocking a 2'05.066. Laurens Vanthoor in the #17 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi was the only driver getting near last year's winner, clocking a time just under half a second slower. All other teams decided not to go for a fast lap in the dying minutes of the session.
Good news is that both the #80 Team Proton Lotus Exige and the #86 Wing Hin Motorsport Toyota, both struck by mechanical issues yesterday, took part in the session. Qualifying for the Sepang 12 Hours starts at 15.00 (UTC +8). Followed by the Shoot out (Top 15 cars) @17.00 (UTC +8).
Gianmaria Bruni (# Clearwater Racing Ferrari, winner 2014 Sepang 12 Hours): "It is always nice to be back here in Malaysia. The Sepang 12 Hours is a very challenging race, especially because of the heat and the humidity. In the past I tried to fly over early to adapt to those conditions, but that did not really work out for me. So know I do some workouts in the heat, to get used to it. The track in itself is one of the best circuits around, really enjoyable for a driver. We have high ambitions, Clearwater Racing have won the last two editions of the race, even though the competition is very high this year. It will not be easy, but we are ready to take them on."