Antonio Pizzonia and James Walker to Delta-ADR/G-Drive Racing to LMP2 pole position for the Six Hours of Silverstone, the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The two drivers shared driving duties in the #25 ORECA-Nissan during the 20 minute session, the new format for the series demanding that two drivers from each car set at least two flying laps, with an average time of four laps setting the grid for the race, which starts at 12 noon tomorrow (April 14).
Pizzonia was the fastest man on track during the first half of the race, taking a third flying lap to take advantage of the rapidly drying track conditions after short rain shower had fallen just prior to the start of the session. With his laps giving the team, completed by Tor Graves, a comfortable advantage Walker was able to keep the car on pole, despite those behind improving their own times.
Among those closing in was Mike Conway, driving the second half of the session in the sister #26 ORECA. Conway had led the way in the practice sessions in his first sportscar outing after his Indycar exit and the Briton continued his strong weekend by setting the best LMP2 lap time of the session to help secure a third place start in the car he shares with Roman Rusinov and John Martin, the Australian having driven the first half of the session.
Conway’s performance only just missed out on taking second place from the #24 Oak Racing entry. However, they still ended the session with an average time more than two seconds slower than their teammates in the similar car.
“We were pleased to give G-Drive Racing and Nissan Nismo pole position,” said Pizzonia. “The team has worked really hard to prepare for the championship. It’s great to start the season on a high note.”
“It’s a good start for the G-Drive Racing team,” summed up G-Drive Racing team manager Simon Dowson. “The track conditions were changing all the time so it was difficult to make the right strategy. The combination of the Nissan Nismo engine, Dunlop tyres and Oreca chassis is a strong package so we are looking forward to the race.”
