Murphy Prototypes, a team comprising Indian driver Karun Chandhok, set the fastest time in LMP2 class during test practice two of the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race to be held on June 13 and 14.
The ever-changing weather conditions punctuated proceedings at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe for the official prologue that takes place two weeks ahead of the world’s most famous endurance race.
The morning runs started dry as all three Murphy Prototypes drivers: Chandhok, Mark Patterson and Nathanael Berthon, took turns behind the wheels of the team’s Nissan-powered Oreca 03R before the rain started.
The weather conditions were repeated for the afternoon session and, with the team having established a good set-up for the car, Chandhok was able to hook-up a perfect lap to secure the fastest time in the LMP2 category and the 11th fastest time overall just before the rain resumed.
The test event provides teams the opportunity to run on the 13.629km track which is only used in this format once a year for a four-hour session in the morning and another four-hour session in the afternoon.
Chandhok, who will be getting back to his Formula E duties this weekend commented: “It’s been a good day. It was a little frustrating to begin with as there was only time for a couple of laps in the morning before it started raining.
“But it dried out again for the start of the afternoon session and I was able to build-up to some strong laps and set the fastest LMP2 time of the day.
“Other than a brief test at Paul Ricard a few months ago, it has been a year since I last drove this car, so I was very pleased to be straight on the pace. The car ran consistently well throughout the test and the team did a great job. It’s an excellent start to our Le Mans fortnight.”
