Asian Le Mans 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi: Qualifying Highlights

In a commanding performance, Giorgio Roda clinched pole position for United Autosports’ #5 Oreca-Gibson in both upcoming races at the Asian Le Mans Series’ 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi. This marks the fourth and fifth pole starts for the team this season, with Roda posting the two fastest laps during the 15-minute qualifying session.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The session was interrupted by a red flag midway through when the #47 Cetilar Racing Oreca, driven by championship leader Roberto Lacorte, spun at the final corner and came to a halt in a hazardous spot. Lacorte managed to limp the car back to the pits, but as a penalty, the team will start from the rear of the LMP2 grid in both races, dealing a blow to their title hopes.

Upon resumption, Roda delivered a blistering 1:42.261 followed by an even quicker 1:42.179, edging out the field by 0.484 seconds. Jens Reno Moller in the #49 High Class Racing Oreca claimed second with a 1:42.663, relegating John Falb’s #20 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca to the second row for today’s race. However, Falb’s second-best lap earns him a front-row start for tomorrow.

Double race winner George Kurtz will line up fourth in the #4 Crowdstrike Racing by APR Oreca, 0.836 seconds off Roda’s pace. The third row features the #43 Inter Europol Competition and #25 Algarve Pro Racing Orecas.

CLICK HERE for the result from LMP2 Qualifying for Race 1 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

CLICK HERE for the result from LMP2 Qualifying for Race 2 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

SIX FROM SIX FOR LANCHERE AND CLX MOTORSPORT

Abu Dhabi Paul Lanchere on pole in the LMP3 class. Image supplied by the Asian Le Mans Series

Paul Lanchere continued his flawless qualifying streak, securing his sixth consecutive pole—and a double for Abu Dhabi—in the LMP3 class. The Frenchman dominated with a 1:51.440 for today’s Race 1 and a 1:51.450 for tomorrow’s finale.

The battle for the remaining spots was fierce. Romain Vozniak earned a front-row start for Race 1 with a 1:51.555 in his entry, just 0.115 seconds shy of Lanchere. Alex Bukhantsov will start third today in the #13 Inter Europol Competition Ligier but moves up to second for Sunday.

Dubai race winner Terrence Woodward slots into fourth for this afternoon in the #71 23Events Racing Ligier, his 1:52.120 trailing the pole by 0.680 seconds.

CLICK HERE for the result from LMP3 Qualifying for Race 1 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

CLICK HERE for the result from LMP3 Qualifying for Race 2 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

GETSPEED 1-2 FOR FINAL TWO RACES IN ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi Steve Jans on pole in the GT class driving the #9 Mercedes. Image supplied by the Asian Le Mans Series

Steve Jans delivered a stellar performance in the GT class, claiming double poles for the final two races in Abu Dhabi aboard the #9 Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3. His best lap of 1:53.307 secured the top spot for today, backed by a 1:53.399 for Sunday.

Teammate Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi in the #37 QMMF by Getspeed Mercedes-AMG pushed hard for the lead but settled for second, a mere 0.075 seconds adrift.

Giacomo Petrobelli in the #56 Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn Aston Martin takes third with a 1:53.559, 0.252 seconds behind the leader and 0.277 seconds ahead of Dustin Scott Blattner in the championship-leading #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari.

The third row belongs to Team WRT, with Tony McIntosh in the #69 BMW M4 edging out teammate Rinat Salikhov in the #28 BMW by just 0.053 seconds..

CLICK HERE for the result from GT Qualifying for Race 1 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

CLICK HERE for the result from GT Qualifying for Race 2 of the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

The first 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi will take place at 15h00 GST / 12h00 CET today