LMP2 Pro/Am championship contenders Richard Mille by TDS not only put their rivals on notice by posted the fastest class time in the first Free Practice session of the final event in Portugal, the 1m32.246 lap set by Mathias Beche was quicker than the entire 43 car grid.
The no43 Inter Europol Competition Oreca was second fastest and the quickest of the 14 strong LMP2 class with Tom Dillmann setting a 1m32.253, just 0.007s behind Beche and 0.343s ahead of the no37 COOL Racing Oreca of Malthe Jakobsen.
Outgoing LMP2 champions Algarve Pro Racing were fourth fastest overall with 2023 Drivers Champion Alex Lynn setting a 1m32.672, 0.043s ahead of the no10 Vector Sport Oreca.The second fastest LMP2 Pro/Am entry was 6thoverall with the no3 DKR Engineering Oreca Laurents Horr on 1m32.789.
The no17 COOL Racing Ligier set the pace in the LMP3 category with Manuel Espirito Santo posting a best time of 1m38.227 on his home track, 0.715s ahead of the no31 Racing Spirit of Leman Ligier of Antoine Doquin.
The no15 RLR MSport Ligier was the best of the three championship contenders in 6thplace with a 1m39.177.The no8 Team Virage Ligier was 8thfastest, one place ahead of the championship leading no11 Eurointernational Ligier.
The LMGT3 category was headed by the championship leading no57 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296, with Daniel Serra posting a class best time of 1m42.759.Championship rivals GR Racing were second fastest with Riccardo Pera posting a 1m42.806, just 0.249s ahead of Michelle Gatting in the no85 Iron Dames Porsche.
The main championship contender, the no59 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage finished the first 90-minute practice session 9thin class on 1m43.546.
The second Free Practice session will take place tomorrow morning at 10h10 (BST) / 11h10 (CEST).
CLICK HERE for the result from Free Practice 1 for the 4 Hours of Portimao.
