In a stunning display of speed and precision, the Mercedes-AMG teams dominated the Free Practice sessions at the Gulf 12 Hours, culminating in a remarkable finish at the Yas Marina Circuit. Grove Racing by GetSpeed emerged victorious in the final session, with Brenton Grove clocking an impressive time of 1:52.832 in the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. This performance not only secured the top spot but also showcased Grove’s exceptional driving skills, leaving competitors trailing by a significant 0.332 seconds.
The competition was fierce, with the No. 21 HAAS RT Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, driven by Steven Palette, finishing in second place. Palette’s efforts demonstrated the agility and performance of the Audi, proving that the race would be anything but predictable. Not far behind, Frederik Schandorff piloted the No. 70 Inception Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 to a commendable third position, while Adam Christodoulou’s No. 13 CapitalRT by Motopark Mercedes-AMG claimed fourth place, highlighting the intense rivalry among these powerhouse teams.
Axcil Jefferies rounded out the top five in the No. 2 Into Africa Racing by HAAS RT Audi, showcasing his driving prowess against a backdrop of fierce competition. Meanwhile, Jayden Ojeda in the No. 44 Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG pushed hard to secure sixth, further emphasizing the depth of talent present in this high-octane event. Ben Tuck’s seventh-place finish in the No. 77 Al Manar by Dragon Ferrari 296 GT3 adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama, as he faced off against seasoned competitors.
Notably, the eighth and ninth positions were held by Enrico Fulgenzi Racing in the No. 17 Porsche 911 GT3 R and Aaron Telitz’s No. 69 Optimum Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, respectively, both of whom are set to be formidable forces as the race progresses. Gabriele Piana completed the overall top ten in the No. 81 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG, cementing the team’s reputation in this fiercely contested field.
Adding to the excitement, Garage 59 achieved a clean sweep in the GT3-Am category over all three practice sessions, highlighting their dominance and strategy as they prepare for the grueling twelve-hour race. A total of 19 out of 20 cars participated in the final two-hour session, with the exception of the No. 16 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG, which opted to sit out to fine-tune their vehicle ahead of the main event.
With qualifying set to commence at 6 p.m. GST (9 a.m. ET), anticipation is building for what promises to be an electrifying showdown at Yas Marina Circuit. Fans and teams alike are bracing for the ultimate test of endurance and skill, as the stage is set for an unforgettable race day.
