Michel Jourdain Tops the Timing Charts on Day One of the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno
* The powerful GTM cars wowed the crowds at the Autodrómo Hermanos Rodríguez, and local driver Michel Jourdain showed that the home team can hold its own.
* Bruno Junqueira, Paul Tracy, and Adrián Fernández improved steadily after each lap at the Mexico City track.
Michel Jourdain made it clear that he cut his racing teeth at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and topped the standings on the first day of practice for the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno, setting a best lap time of 1:52.996 around the 4.3-km track.
The Mexican driver had a great first practice session on board GTM #1 and now looks like one of the favourites to take pole position for the support race of the FORMULA 1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX Presented by Heineken, having rediscovered the secrets of the capital’s circuit.
Michel’s best time was 0.017 seconds faster than that of Canadian driver Alex Tagliani, who drove the number 2 V8-powered car and was surprised by the power and handling of these cars, which compete in the Mexican category. Third place in free practice one went to Luis “Chapulín” Díaz (1:54.073), followed by Mario Domínguez and Brazilian driver Bruno Junqueira.
Paul Tracy, a fan favourite who had already driven the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno cars two seasons ago, set the sixth best time, ahead of Max Papis and Casey Mears. Ricardo Pérez de Lara and Mexican legend Adrián Fernández completed the top ten.
“It’s amazing to be back on track. I haven’t raced in any category in years, but this F1ESTA is the perfect excuse to hang out with old friends and have a go on track. It’s amazing to get back into a rhythm. Just give me a few more minutes on track and you’ll see me get ahead,” Fernandez said.
Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mark Blundell, along with Roberto González, Oriol Servià, Tiberio Jiménez, Israel Jaitovich, and Bernardo Jourdain, took the remaining spots in free practice one.
Qualifying for the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno will take place on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. local time, with Jourdain, Tagliani and Diaz as the favourites to take pole position for the Sunday race.
About the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno (FUNO)
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Formula 1 in Mexico City, the Freightliner Legends Cup by Fibra Uno (FUNO) has reunited motorsport legends for an exhibition race during the FORMULA 1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX Presented by Heineken. Adrián Fernández, Alex Tagliani, Bruno Junqueira, Casey Mears, Luis “Chapulín” Díaz, Mario Domínguez, Mark Blundell, Max Papis, Michel Jourdain Jr., Oriol Servià, Paul Tracy, and Roberto González are among the drivers who will be taking part in the race.
