The 4 Hours of Imola, the third round of the European Le Mans Series, got into full swing with the qualifying sessions for LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3, and LMGT3, which determined the starting grid for the race scheduled to start on Sunday at 12:00. The race will be preceded by the Italian national anthem, performed by local singer Giada Maragno, accompanied by a choreography from the girls of the Diffusione Sport Imola volleyball school, who will bring a large tricolour flag onto the track. For those who don’t want to miss the final day, tickets can be purchased on the website Ticketone.it.
LMGT3 was the only category in which the drivers fought for pole position in completely dry conditions. Starting from pole position will be the No. 63 Mercedes, driven by Singaporean driver Martin Berry. Lining up alongside him will be the Aston Martin Vantage, driven by Frenchman Clément Mateu. The second row goes to the Porsche 911 of the all-female Iron Dames crew, brought to the track by French driver Celia Martin. Fourth position for the Ferrari 296, driven by Japanese driver Takeshi Kimura.
In LMP3, only two laps were completed before a violent thunderstorm broke out. The class grid sees Frenchman Paul Lanchere (CLX Motorsport) at the front, with compatriot Fabien Michal (Eurointernational) in second place. Third and fourth positions go to the Frenchman Stephane Tribaudini (M Racing) and the Estonian Antti Rammo (DKR Engineering).
LMP2 Pro/Am qualifying on a wet track. Pole position was claimed by Giorgio Roda (Proton Competition), who put significant gaps between himself and his rivals. Second fastest time went to American PJ Hyett (AO by TF). The second row will be occupied by Greek driver Georgios Kolovos (DKR Engineering), with British driver Anthony Wells (Nielsen Racing) setting the fourth fastest time.
Constant changes at the top of LMP2 during the qualifying session, held on a track that gradually dried out more and more. In the end, setting the fastest time in a final flying lap marked by constant lead changes was the Frenchman Theo Pourchaire (Algarve Pro Racing), who will be joined on the front row by Luca Ghiotto (Inter Europol Competition). The second row will be occupied by the Frenchman Maceo Capietto (Iron Lynx – Proton) and the British driver Nicholas Yelloly (Inter Europol Competition).
