The no5 Ginetta G60-AER was the fastest car in the first practice session of the 8 Hours of Bahrain weekend, Round 4 of the 2019/20 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Ben Hanley set the best time of 1m44.791 but the British team’s time on track was limited due to a transmission problem that only enabled the no5 Ginetta to complete 10 laps during the 90-minute session.

Rebellion Racing finished second fastest but the 4 Hours of Shanghai winners were 2.1 seconds behind the lead car.  The two Toyotas were third and fourth fastest with the no8 TS050-hybrid posting a 1m47.456, 2.6 seconds behind the Ginetta and 0.15s ahead of the no7 Toyota.  The no6 Ginetta was fifth fastest after technical issues also dogged their session.

It was a Porsche 1-2 in the LMGTE Pro class. Gianmaria Bruni was quickest in the no91 Porsche 911 RSR-19 with a 1m57.388, just 0.037s ahead of the no92 911.  Ferrari were third and fourth quickest with the no71 488 GTE ahead with a 1m57.437, just 0.012s behind the no92 Porsche and nearly a second ahead of the no51 Ferrari.

United Autosports posted the best time in LMP2 with Paul di Resta setting the class best of 1m48.273.  The Scot’s time was just 0.022s ahead of the no42 Cool Racing Oreca, with championship leaders Racing Team Nederland third quickest with a 1m48.817 lap.

LMGTE Am was headed by another Scot, with Jonny Adam posting a class best of 1m58.803s in the no90 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage AMR.  Adam’s time was just 0.022s ahead of the no88 Dempsey Proton Racing Porsche, with the no57 Team Project 1 Porsche third fastest with 1m59.387.

Free Practice 2 for the 8 Hours of Bahrain will take place after sunset at 18h30 local / 16h30 CET.