As the sun set creating a beautiful golden haze around the atmospheric Provencal track, the #18 Porsche 919 Hybrid driven by Neel Jani completed the fastest lap of the day on 1m37.220s.

Just like the afternoon session the Porsche LMP1-H team locked out the top two positions as the #17 Porsche 919 Hybrid placed second on 1m38.635s.

Audi continued to put limited laps on their new LMP1 cars but they still set third and fourth best times this evening. The #7 Audi R18 e-tron quattro slightly outpacing the #8 R18 e-tron quattro. Loic Duval and Benoit Treluyer set the respective best times tonight.

Toyota ran in to the night time with both the newly numbered #1 and #2 Toyota TS 040 HYRID LMP1-H designs. Anthony Davidson set the fifth fastest lap this evening with a 1m40.378s lap, while Stephane Sarrazin was just behind on 1m41.309s.

KCMG finished off a very encouraging first public day of testing as Matthew Howson topped the LMP2 category times in the electric-blue ORECA 05-Nissan with a 1m47.456s.

The LMGTE spoils fell to AF Corse Ferrari and Aston Martin Racing respectively. The Pro category saw James Calado complete a best of 1m59.009s, while Stuart Hall crossed the line to set a 2m00.582s best in the Aston Martin Vantage V8.

The first track action of the year burst in to life today and perfectly set-up more anticipation for great action on Saturday when over 8,000 spectators will visit the circuit, free of charge, to witness the birth of a great new WEC season.

The first of the two 4-hour sessions will begin at 09.00cet.