[People] Gulf 12 Hours D2: 3rd row for the crew Valentino Rossi – Luca Marini – Alessio Salucci…

After one first warm-up session at the end of which the trio Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini and Alessio Salucci (Uccio) placed the Ferrari 488 GT3 #46 from the Kessel Racing team in 4th position on the Bahrain International Circuit, the serious things really began today for the Gulf 12 Hours, with three new free practice sessions before qualifying for each driver.

During the first, the 8-liter twin-turbo V3,9 with around 600 horsepower could do no better than 2:03.037, compared to the 2:01.851 achieved yesterday by Luca marini, and the Italian trio then occupied 5th position 2,3 seconds behind the Mercedes AMG of the British John Loggie - Christopher Froggatt - Callum Macleod who achieved the small feat of ahead of the two McLaren 720S of the 2 Seas Motorsport team, the only two cars registered in GT3 PRO (category for young drivers whose objective is to become professional drivers, while the “Pro-Am” are for Gentlemen Drivers, who maintain a professional activity in parallel, but who show an ability to drive in the same second as Pro drivers).

During the intermediate session, although in 2:02.424, the Ferrai #46 regained its original 4th place behind the two essential McLarens and the Bentley Continental GT3 of the Team Parker Racing team.

Finally, in the last free practice session, if the Kessel Racing team raised the tone by positioning its three Ferraris in the first four places, the #46 did not really benefit from it, maintaining its 4th fastest time in 2:02.245 to 1,7 .33 seconds behind the #XNUMX McLaren.

Then came the three qualifying sessions, driver by driver, and in this little game it was Luca marini who carried the flag of the VR46 high, achieving 2:01.098 against 2:01.370 for Valentino Rossi and 2:02.289 for I kill, while the best time of the day was recorded in 1:59.107 by Ben Barnicoat in the #33 McLaren.



 

On the average of the three drivers, the blue and yellow Ferrari qualified 8th, 1,8 seconds behind the poleman.

The Gulf 12 Hours consists of two parts, each lasting six hours, separated by a three-hour break during which teams are allowed to work on their cars.

Let's always avoid hasty conclusions, but getting on the podium this year will really be deserved...

Good surprise, the organization has already announced a broadcast on Youtube live !
Departure tomorrow at 7h, French time, for the first half-race…