Spectators have arrived en masse in campsites around the Silverstone circuit. Although the sky was threatening and humidity stood at 82% the third and final free practice session remained dry with an air temperature of 18C.
The duel between Audi and Toyota has once again turned to the advantage of the German manufacturer with Allan McNish, who improved the fastest time during the first day by almost two seconds with a lap of 1:43.628. The non-hybrid Audi R18 Ultra beat its hybrid sister, the R18 e-tron quattro driven by Benoit Tréluyer by over a second, and the Toyota TS030 Hybrid by nearly two seconds.
Rebellion Racing led the private teams in LMP1 with Neel Jani who completed a lap in 1:46.500 with Lola-Toyota No.12 with Danny Watts and the HPD-Honda No.21 Strakka Racing on his heels less than a tenth behind. The second Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota set third fastest time, Andrea Belicchi four-tenths slower than his team mate.
In LMP2, Alex Brundle likes the Silverstone circuit and it shows! After the second fastest time of the class during the first free practice session, the young Brit has risen to the top of the time sheets this morning with a lap of 1:49.524 and became the only driver class to get below the 1:50 barrier. He beat his immediate pursuer, Baguette and Morgan-Nissan # 35 OAK Racing by over a second, and the difference between the Belgian and Mailleux in third place with the Oreca-Nissan No.23 of Signatech-Nissan less than one tenth of a second adrift.
LMP1 and LMP2 competitors will return for the prototype qualifying session, which will run from 15:20 to 15:40
Dave Davies
Photo : TOWCESTER (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK), SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, SATURDAY 25th AUGUST 2012, FREE PRACTICE 3. Greaves Motorsport fastest in LMP2 in the 3rd free practice session.
