> Result: Free Practice 1
Andrea Caldarelli topped opening practice for the Total 24 Hours of Spa as preparations for the 2020 edition began in earnest.
The 90-minute session went green at 11.10 and marked the first time that the full field has been on-track at Spa-Francorchamps this year. It began on a damp surface following overnight rain, but the circuit dried throughout and slick Pirelli rubber was soon the tyre of choice.
A flurry of quick times during the final 10 minutes of the session saw Caldarelli emerge fastest in the #63 Orange1 FFF Lamborghini, lapping in 2m19.030s. The reigning Endurance Cup champion was 0.146s clear of two-time Spa winner Philipp Eng (Walkenhorst BMW). Last year's pole-sitter, Maro Engel, was third in the #4 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT entry with a 2m19.207s.
A pair of Porsches completed the top-five, with Matt Campbell (#12 GPX Racing) ahead of Nick Tandy (#99 ROWE Racing). Dominik Baumann was sixth and the best of the Pro-Am runners in his #20 SPS Mercedes, while the similar car run by Madpanda Motorsport was the best Silver Cup entrant. Ricardo Sanchez set the time, which placed the #90 machine 18th overall.
The session was punctuated by two red flag periods, the first coming shortly after the halfway point following an incident between the #52 AF Corse Ferrari and RAM Racing's #74 Mercedes-AMG. The second occurred during the final 20 minutes, when two Bentleys – the #107 from CMR and Team Parker's #11 machine – hit problems. This was a brief stoppage, lasting just five minutes.
Cars will be back on-track for pre-qualifying at 15.15, which signals the start of free-to-view live streaming from Spa-Francorchamps. Qualifying follows at 18.55, while Night Practice starts at 20.35 and wraps up a busy day at the track.
All of the live action will air on a free-to-view, non-geo-blocked stream. This will be available on the usual platforms, including the event's official website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.