Peugeot locks out front row!

For a long time, the two Courage ORECA Judds headed the time sheets with Olivier Panis and Soheil Ayari before they were split by the Creation AIM of Jamie Campbell-Walter. The British driver was on another flying lap when he went crashed heavily at the second chicane, putting to an end his hopes of challenging his petrol competitors.

"We took over Courage six months ago and made the improvements that put the car where it is today," said ORECA team director Hugues de Chaunac. "Each practice session, the two cars are in a similar position, so we have done a good job, but that work needs to continue."

It wasn't until late in the session that the Peugeot 908 Hdi FAPs went out on track, after Capello set provisional fastest time in his Audi R10 TDI. He was followed by Mike Rockenfeller before the Peugeots pitted for new tyres and exited the pits together, running in close formation, Minassian leading Lamy. It was the Frenchman who set the better time. "It was a good job done," said Minassian. "Peugeot knows what they are doing, has done a good job and now we are looking for pace."

The Charouz Racing Systems Aston Martin-powered Lola was fifth fastest in the hands of Stefan Mucke, ahead of Panis, Campbell-Walter and Ayari. The best Pescarolo set ninth fastest time in the hands of Emmanuel Collard, who was not happy with the handling of the car while tenth in class was the Epsilon Euskadi of Angel Burgueno. Robbie Kerr qualified the second Creation AIM 12th overall.