Patel and Gilbert fifth-fastest in Practice 1 at Sepang

Team OD Updated: April 07, 2017, 08:39 PM IST

The first two practice sessions for the 2017 Blancpain GT Series Asia season-opener at Sepang were held today. Aditya Patel and ODRacing team-mate Mitch Gilbert finished fifth in the first session and fourteenth in the second practice session.

Topping morning's FP1 session at Sepang were Hunter Abbott and Raffaele Marciello of the GruppeM team in their Mercedes AMG GT3. The duo had a best time of 2min 17.584 at Sepang. Second spot went to Martin Kodric and Sandy Stuvik in their Vincenzo Sospiri Racing SRL Huracan GT3. The third fastest time was set by the second GruppeM car, also an AMG GT3, piloted by Tim Sugden and Jules Szymkowiak. Patel and Gilbert, down in fifth, set a time of 2min 17.982sec.

In the afternoon FP2 session, it was KCMG's Martin Rump and Sanghwi Rick Yoon who set the fastest time in their Audi R8 LMS GT3. Patel and Gilbert could do no better than 14th fastest, clocking a time of 2min 05.496sec. But their timing isn't a cause for worry, since the team was carrying out a race simulation with a full load of fuel.

The final free practice session will take place on Saturday morning, followed by two qualifying sessions - one each for Race 1 and 2 - and the hour-long Race 1. Race 2 will be held on Sunday, April 9.

Full FP1 results here.

Full FP2 results here.

Audi R8 2016 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 2.55 Crore

Displacement
5204cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
610

Max Torque(Nm)
530

Mileage
7.63 Kmpl