The Hypercar qualifying session at the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji proved to be an intense battle for the top spot. Kamui Kobayashi, driving for Toyota, took the pole position with a best lap time of 1m27.794s. This impressive feat not only secured the top spot for Kobayashi but also earned him and his teammates, Jose Maria Lopez and Mike Conway, a crucial bonus point.
Brendon Hartley, driving the #8 Toyota, put up an impressive fight but ultimately fell short, finishing 0.624 seconds adrift of Kobayashi. The two factory Penske-run Porsche 963s, driven by Kevin Estre and Alexander Sims, followed closely behind in third and fourth place respectively.
Ferrari, known for its strong performance, had a subdued qualifying session at the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji. Both of the team’s 499Ps could only manage sixth and seventh places, marking the first time this season that Ferrari failed to secure a top-three position. James Calado’s best time of 1m28.991s in the #51 car was almost 1.2s off the pace, while his teammate Nicklas Nielsen was slightly slower in the #50 Ferrari.
In the LMP2 category, United Autosports emerged victorious with Phil Hanson taking the pole position in the #22 ORECA 07. Hanson’s best lap time of 1m32.182s not only secured the team’s first pole of the year but also marked their third pole position overall. Louis Deletraz, driving for WRT ORECA, came in a close second, only 0.091s behind Hanson.
Corvette Racing continued their dominant performance in the GTE Am category, with Ben Keating securing their third pole position of the season. The solo Corvette C8.R, driven by Keating, Nicky Catsburg, and Nico Varrone, outperformed their rivals by a scant 0.035s on a damp track. Sarah Bovy, representing Iron Dames Porsche, put up a strong fight but ultimately settled for second place.
Impressive Performances from Aston Martin and Ferrari
Satoshi Hoshino, driving for D’station Racing Aston Martin, showcased his skill by securing the third position in GTE Am. Ian James, representing Heart of Racing, finished just behind Hoshino in fourth place. The #21 AF Corse Ferrari, driven by Hiroshi Koizumi, led the Ferrari contingent, highlighting the team’s perseverance despite their disappointing overall performance.
The Hypercar qualifying session at the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji was filled with intense competition and impressive performances. Toyota emerged as the clear frontrunner, securing the top spot with Kamui Kobayashi’s exceptional lap time. However, Porsche and their drivers, Brendon Hartley and Kevin Estre, proved to be formidable contenders, closely trailing the Toyota team. Ferrari’s subdued performance was unexpected, but their drivers, James Calado and Nicklas Nielsen, showcased their talent despite the challenging conditions. In the LMP2 category, United Autosports stood out with Phil Hanson securing pole position, while Corvette Racing continued their dominance in GTE Am. The WEC 6 Hours of Fuji promises to be an exciting race, with these talented teams and drivers set to battle it out for victory.
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