Esteban Masson and Forestier Racing by Panis topped a tricky Free Practice 2 at Spa-Francorchamps as the European Le Mans Series completed its final preparations for Sunday’s 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
The 90-minute session began with the legendary Belgian circuit still carrying the effects of overnight rain, leaving the track damp and unpredictable in the opening stages.
Spa once again delivered the sort of conditions for which the Ardennes circuit is famous.
A Very Different Spa
Friday’s opening practice had been conducted in significantly more favourable conditions, with IDEC Sport’s Valerio Rinicella setting the overall benchmark with a 2:02.110.
Saturday morning was a different proposition.
Overnight rain left parts of the circuit damp, while the racing line progressively dried as more cars took to the track.
That created an unusual challenge for the drivers. The quickest route around Spa was constantly changing, with grip improving from lap to lap and drivers needing to judge how aggressively they could attack the circuit.
LMP2 – Forestier Racing Moves to the Top
Esteban Masson produced the fastest LMP2 lap of the session in the No. 29 Forestier Racing by Panis Oreca-Gibson.
His 2:03.143 placed him at the top of the overall timesheets.
Top 2 – LMP2
- No. 29 Forestier Racing by Panis – Esteban Masson — 2:03.143
- No. 18 IDEC Sport – Valerio Rinicella — 2:04.273
Masson’s pace represented a strong response to IDEC Sport’s FP1 performance.
Rinicella had dominated the opening session, but the different track conditions allowed Forestier Racing to move ahead in FP2.
The battle suggested that qualifying would be particularly close once the circuit reached its optimum condition.
LMP2 Pro/Am – AF Corse on Top
The No. 83 AF Corse Oreca led the Pro/Am runners, with Matthieu Vaxiviere recording a 2:04.553.
Top 2 – LMP2 Pro/Am
- No. 83 AF Corse – Matthieu Vaxiviere — 2:04.553
- No. 99 AO by TF – Dane Cameron — 2:05.405
Vaxiviere’s time was strong enough for fourth overall, underlining the pace available from the leading Pro/Am entries.
LMP3 – R-ace GP Sets the Pace
R-ace GP continued its strong Spa weekend by taking the top spot in LMP3.
Pierre-Alexandre Provost set a 2:16.540 in the No. 85 Duqueine.
Top 2 – LMP3
- No. 85 R-ace GP – Pierre-Alexandre Provost — 2:16.540
- No. 17 CLX Motorsport – Louis Iglesias — 2:17.145
The narrow gaps once again demonstrated how competitive the LMP3 field is at Spa.
LMGT3 – United Autosports Leads
Wayne Boyd put the No. 23 United Autosports McLaren 720S at the top of the LMGT3 standings.
His 2:18.893 was enough to edge the No. 50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari by just 0.156 seconds.
Top 2 – LMGT3
- No. 23 United Autosports – Wayne Boyd — 2:18.893
- No. 50 Richard Mille AF Corse – Riccardo Agostini — 2:19.049
The No. 62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG was just behind in fourth, highlighting the extremely close competition.
From Wet to Dry
The defining feature of FP2 was the circuit itself.
The session began with drivers having to manage reduced grip, but the track gradually transformed.
As the dry line developed, the drivers could push harder and the times began to fall.
That evolution provided a fascinating glimpse of Spa’s unique character. The circuit can effectively become several different tracks within a single session, depending on weather and temperature.
For the teams, that made FP2 less about chasing a single headline lap and more about gathering information.
Qualifying Awaits
With FP2 complete, attention turned immediately to qualifying.
The teams had just a few hours to analyse the data, make final setup changes and prepare their cars for the battle for pole.
And with the weather already playing a role, nobody could be certain what conditions qualifying would bring.
At Spa-Francorchamps, that uncertainty is part of the challenge.
The next stop: qualifying — and the fight for pole position.
