All three teams got good traction off the line, but Klara Andersson seemed to edge into the lead for ABT CUPRA XE as the cars approached the first waypoint.
Veloce Racing’s Molly Taylor and No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing’s Sara Price were still in the mix though, and as all three fought for the lead Price lost control of her ODYSSEY 21, taking out a waypoint flag as she veered off course.
With a ten-second penalty looming over Price in last place, the American set off on a mission to close down the eight-second gap to Veloce Racing in second.
A calm drive from Andersson saw her maintain the lead as Price made ground on Taylor and was soon all over the back of the Australian. However, as she tried to make the overtake on Veloce Racing, Price took down yet another waypoint flag, adding a further ten-second penalty for No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing as the team fought for a spot in the Final and their title hopes.
As the drivers handed over to their teammates, all three teams were parallel as they exited the Switch Zone, with ABT CUPRA XE’s Nasser Al-Attiyah giving way as the track narrowed.
RJ Anderson engaged his ENOWA Hyperdrive to get the best exit from the Switch Zone for No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing, pulling ahead of Veloce Racing’s Kevin Hansen.
The Swede made a strong recovery though, pulling up alongside Anderson for some exciting door-to-door action through the next few corners, until completing the move to secure first for Veloce Racing.
ABT CUPRA XE crossed the line in third, but a level-headed drive from Al-Attiyah ensured the team were close enough to No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing to steal second when the penalties were applied.
Results
Veloce Racing 10:36.604
ABT CUPRA XE +6.916
No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing +22.093 (PENALISED)
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