P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pipo Derani claimed GTP pole position for the Grand Prix of Long Beach after setting a quickest lap time of
The Brazilian driver secured his third consecutive pole position in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by dominating all qualifying sessions this year, facing a challenging journey before the first sprint race. The tight and narrow Long Beach Street Circuit presented a crucial qualifying outing with two 15-minute sessions for each category. Lap times were closely contested throughout the 27-car field during free practice, showcasing the importance of track evolution in maintaining competitive times. The GTP category utilized softer Michelin tire compounds to capitalize on ideal track conditions for setting quick lap times. Despite challenges, Derani claimed provisional pole position ahead of Bourdais and Yelloly, with just over six-tenths of a second covering the top-nine cars in the GTP field. In the GTD qualifying session, teams had freedom to choose their qualifying driver, while Gradient Racing faced setbacks due to an engine change and will start from the back of the grid. Vasser Sullivan’s Lexus RC F GT3s showed strong pace in GTD, securing a 1-2 finish with Thompson on pole ahead of Montecalvo. Costa Balboa, De Angelis, and Formal completed the top-five in GTD qualifications, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead.
