Karun Chandhok and team set fastest time in practice ahead of Le Mans endurance race

Le Mans (France): Karun Chandhok, India’s racing star representing his team Murphy Prototypes, set the fastest time in LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype) class during test practice two of the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race to be held on June 13-14.

Changeable weather conditions punctuated proceedings at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe for the official prologue that takes place two-weeks ahead of the world’s most famous endurance race.

The morning runs started dry and all three Murphy Prototypes drivers: Chandhok, Mark Patterson and Nathanael Berthon, each took turns at the wheel of the team’s Nissan-powered Oreca 03R before the rain came. The weather conditions were repeated for the afternoon session and, with the team having established a good set up for the car, Chandhok was able hook-up a perfect lap to secure the fastest time in the LMP2 category - and the 11th fastest time overall - just before the rain returned.

The test event provides teams the opportunity to run on the 13.629km (8.46-mile) track - which is only used in this format once-a-year for a four hour session in the morning and another four hour session in the afternoon.

The team was pleased to have run through its planned test programme during the day and to have established a good set-up for the car. Overall 22 cars will be running in the LMP2 category.

The build up for the legendary race starts on June 7 and June 8 with scrutineering at Place de la Republique in Le Mans, followed by two free practice and qualifying sessions on June 10 and 11. The race starts on June 13 at 3:00pm local time.

Chandhok, who will be getting back to his Formula E duties this weekend commented: “It’s been a good day. It was a little frustrating to begin with as there was only time for a couple of laps in the morning before it started raining. But it dried out again for the start of the afternoon session and I was able to build up to some strong laps and set the fastest LMP2 time of the day.

“Other than a brief test at a Paul Ricard a few months ago, it has been a year since I last drove this car, so I was very pleased to be straight on the pace. The car ran consistently well throughout the test and the team did a great job. It’s an excellent start to our Le Mans fortnight.”

PTI