GT1 World

Bernoldi quickest in Silverstone practice

© Planetlemans – Brecht Decancq

Enrique Bernoldi was the fastest driver in the FIA GT1 World Championship free practice around the 5.891 km long renovated Silverstone circuit. The Vitaphone Racing Team driver was 0.352s quicker than the Phoenix Racing/Carsport Corvette of Mike Hezemans and another tenth of a second quicker than team mate Bertolini in the number 1 Vitaphone Maserati.

All drivers used the first 80 minutes of track action at Silverstone to get to grips with the new layout, described by some as ‘horrible’. Perhaps due to the fact that the track was somewhat damp in the opening session numerous cars had trouble negotiating the corners and on more than one occasion cars went wide even on the exit of Copse Corner.

At the end of the session ten cars were within a second of each other, with each of the six brands represented in the series having at least one car in the top 10. Seven more cars were within 1.5 seconds of the leader.

Prior to the first session the FIA also confirmed several Balance of Performance amendments on the cars racing this weekend.

Lamborghini
- 10 kg removed from the minimum weight of the car. Total is now 1190 kg.
- restrictor size from 32 mm to 32.8 mm

Corvette
- 40 kg added to the minimum weight of the car. Total is now 1240 kg.

Maserati
- 35 kg added to the minimum weight of the car. Total is now 1235 kg.
- restrictor size reduced to 31.2 mm

Aston Martin
- 50 kg removed from the minimum weight of the car. Total is now 1150 kg.

Nissan
- 20 kg removed from the minimum weight of the car. Total is now 1230 kg.

Ford
– no adjustments