The three Nissan LMP1 entries have been penalised for failing to meet the 110% qualifying lap time minimum, and will start at the back of the prototype field, whilst the #71 AF Corse Ferrari will be forced to start second-last after one of their drivers didn’t set a lap time within 120% of the fastest Porsche LMP1.
The Nissan GT-R LM NISMOs will now start from positions 30th to 32nd, in the order #22, #23 and #21, behind the other LMP1 and LMP2 contenders.
Only the #45 Ibanez ORECA 03 in LMP2 will start behind the Nissans, having been penalised when one of their drivers didn’t meet the minimum requirements. The #4 ByKolles LMP1 car will start in P29 ahead of the Nissans following a similar penalty.
Over in LM GTE-Pro, the #71 AF Corse Ferrari which qualified fourth in class will have to start second-to-last, as Olivier Beretta‘s best time was three seconds slower than the 120% cut-off. This puts the car 54th overall, and 10 rows behind the class pole-sitter.
Finally, at the back of the field is the #67 Team AAI Porsche in LM GTE-Am, which has also been awarded a grid penalty.
The race stewards issued the following notice: “On proposal of the FIA Race Director, to admit drivers who did not comply with the minimum qualifying lap times to start the race, the Stewards decide to authorise the following drivers to take part in the warm-up & the race (ref: Article 68 B 2.8.2 of the Sporting Regulations).”
