The WEC Rookie Test is underway!

The inaugural official FIA World Endurance Championship Rookie Test has got underway this morning at the Bahrain International Circuit and 12 cars have been circulating throughout the initial two-hour session.

Two of the three LMP1 rookies chosen by the Promotor – GP2 race winner Mitch Evans in the Porsche 919 Hybrid, and LMP2 WEC Champion Sam Bird in the Toyota TS040 HYBRID – have had laps in the car, with New Zealander Evans setting a best time of 1:42.946 towards the end of the morning.  The third official ‘rookie’, Richie Stanaway, got his first few laps in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in the closing stages of the morning session.

Also turning his first laps in an LMP1 hybrid prototype was Indycar star Juan Pablo Montoya, with more time in the car due this afternoon.

Young British driver Matthew Rao was quickest in LMP2 in the No.36 Signatech Alpine with a best time of 1:53.899, and Dutchman Nick Catsburg set the pace in the LMGTE classes in the GTE championship winning 911 RS of Porsche Team Manthey with a time of 2:00.349.

Aston Martin Racing was not only testing its six Evolution Academy finalists, but also its new-for-2016 Aston Martin Vantage V8.

The 3-hour afternoon test session will begin at 13h00 (local).

Photo:  Porsche Motorsport.  Mitch Evans (left) talking to 2015 FIA WEC World Champion Mark Webber after his first run in the Porsche 919 Hybrid at Bahrain International Circuit.