Ticknell puts Aston Martin top in final Fuji practice

After showing impressive pace throughout Friday, under cloudy skies at the Fuji Speedway this morning, Aston Martin Thor Team's Valkyries truly came alive. In the final practice session ahead of Qualifying, the No. 007 set a 1m 29.492s with Harry Tincknell at the wheel, putting the V12-powered LMH fastest of anyone ahead of qualifying later today.

The sister No. 009 car also performed well in the cooler conditions, slotting in fourth with a lap that was within two tenths of the No. 007. The two Cadillacs from Hertz Team JOTA showed pace too, with the No. 38 taking second with a 1m 29.516 sand the No. 12 ending the 60-minute session (which followed the annual circuit Safari run buses full of fans) third.

“It's a big turnaround from yesterday to today with the cooler conditions," No. 12 Cadillac driver Alex Lynn said. "I think it's about keeping the rear tyres alive around here, and Sector 3 is very tight and twisty. Our cars are quite big, so anything we can do to cool down the rear tyres, we usually go a bit better.”

Peugeot, which set the benchmark in both of Friday's practice sessions, ended up fifth with the No.94 9X8, which produced a time 0.242s off the top. BMW, Toyota and Alpine also featured in the top 10.

Heart Of Racing was quickest in LMGT3 too, adding to the team's impressive morning. Zach Robichon pushed the No. 59 United Autosports McLaren to second in the times with a 1m 40.800s early on in the No. 27 Vantage LMGT3. The No. 81 TF Sport Corvette completed the top three while the second United McLaren and No. 60 Iron Lynx Mercedes slotted in fourth and fifth.

"It's pretty amazing, first time ever to be leading both classes. I'm immensely proud of both teams, and I'm looking forward to Qualifying," Heart of Racing team principal/driver Ian James said. "We have to celebrate the little wins."

There was one drama to report from the session, as Ben Tuck was forced to stop the #77 Proton Ford Mustang at Turn 1 after just 14 laps and abandon the car.

"Engine issue, water pressure, the engine's gone," Tuck reported over the radio.

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