Le Mans: Favourites amongst the lesser classes

As well as the LMP1 contestants, it is also worth mentioning the lesser categories and picking out a few hot tips amongst them. The entrants for the Le Mans 24-hour race are allocated to four separate classes. LMP1 is intended for works teams, whilst the somewhat slower LMP2 category is more suitable for privateers. The GT1 class was established to accommodate series sports cars such as Aston Martin (the DB9), Lamborghini and Maserati. Meanwhile, the likes of Porsche and Ferrari battle it out in GT2.

In the LMP2 category, it was Team Strakka Racing who made the biggest impression in the first timed practice session. Jonny Kane in his HDP ARX.01 clocked the fastest lap time to secure for his team the best provisional result in the class and P14 in the general classification. David Brabham, winner of last year's Le Mans 24-hour race, posted the second-fastest lap. "We were heavily fuelled up and were not driving what you might call a normal qualifying lap," said Brabham, "so I think that is a very encouraging sign."