LMP2: Masson Delivers Flying Lap to Seize Pole for VDS Panis Racing
Esteban Masson stormed to pole position for VDS Panis Racing in the No. 48 Oreca during a fiercely contested LMP2 qualifying at Silverstone, claiming the bonus point and extending his championship lead to 21 points ahead of Sunday’s Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone.
Despite having his first lap deleted for track limits, Masson quickly bounced back to top the timing sheets early on. The session saw intense exchanges at the top, with Theo Pourchaire (No. 25 Algarve Pro Racing) briefly holding provisional pole with a 1:43.088, only for Matteo Cairoli to respond in the No. 9 Iron Lynx-Proton with a 1:43.190.
But Masson had the final word, unleashing a blistering 1:42.343 in the final minutes to lock in pole. Cairoli secured second, while Nick Yelloly (No. 43 Inter Europol) vaulted up to third with a last-gasp 1:42.792. Pourchaire settled for fourth, just 0.245s adrift of the top three.
LMP2 Pro/Am: PJ Hyett Edges Roda by Hundredths in Nail-Biter
In LMP2 Pro/Am, PJ Hyett clinched pole for AO by TF in the No. 99 Oreca-Gibson with a razor-thin margin of 0.017s over Giorgio Roda (No. 77 Proton Competition). Hyett’s 1:45.318 lap was enough to earn his second pole of the season and cut Algarve Pro Racing’s championship lead to just two points.
Rodrigo Sales (No. 29 TDS Racing) secured third, nearly a second off the pole pace, ahead of John Falb (No. 27 Nielsen Racing) in fourth. Championship leader Kriton Lentoudis endured a tough session, qualifying eighth in class and set to start from the back of the LMP2 Pro/Am grid.
LMP3: Peebles Powers to Maiden ELMS Pole for WTM by Rinaldi
In an electrifying LMP3 session on a drying track, Griffin Peebles claimed his first European Le Mans Series pole for WTM by Rinaldi Racing with a stunning final lap of 1:53.038 in the No. 12 Duqueine.
The session saw multiple lead changes in the closing minutes. Peebles briefly led before being eclipsed by Theo Jensen (No. 17 CLX Motorsport) and then Gillian Henrion (No. 15 RLR MSport), who improved twice in quick succession. But Peebles delivered when it counted, reclaiming P1 at the chequered flag.
Henrion will start alongside Peebles on the front row, followed by Jensen and Ian Aguilera (No. 11 Eurointernational) in third and fourth respectively.
LMGT3: Iron Dames on Top Again as Célia Martin Shines at Silverstone
Célia Martin delivered a dramatic late flyer to secure LMGT3 pole for the Iron Dames in the No. 85 Porsche with a 2:11.819, marking her first career ELMS pole and a second of the day for the team after Vanina Ickx’s earlier success in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Martin Berry looked poised for his fourth pole of the season in the No. 63 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG, but Martin matched his pace throughout the session. After Berry briefly reclaimed the top spot with a 2:12.784, Martin unleashed a final lap with purple sectors in S1 and S2, ultimately going nearly a full second quicker.
Berry will start second, while championship leaders Racing Spirit of Léman (Clément Mateu) secured third with a 2:13.712, just 0.029s ahead of Michael Birch in the No. 23 United Autosports McLaren. Impressively, six different manufacturers filled the top six positions.
Up Next: The Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone
The race begins at 11:00 local time on Sunday, 14 September — starting an hour earlier than scheduled due to a weather warning in the UK. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling round in the 2025 European Le Mans Series.
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