Latest news with #LMGT3
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
We've made huge strides as a team to be in contention at 24 Hours of Le Mans: Charlie Eastwood
Preparations for the Fourth Round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will get under way on Sunday, with all teams taking part in two three-hour practice sessions. It is the only extended non-timed running they can take advantage of around the famous Circuit de la Sarthe before free practice on Wednesday and then qualifying later that day. After the 2024 edition, Eastwood said he was 'super proud' of his team's efforts despite a chronic lack of straight-line performance starving them of real LMGT3 action. At the end of almost 270 laps and 2,260 competitive miles, they crossed the line 15th in class. However, considerable work has been going on behind the scenes since then to hone and improve Corvette Racing's TF-Sport-run LMGT3 challenger – the Z06 GT3.R – with most of the engineers' focus centring on Le Mans, the blue-riband meeting on the WEC calendar. Eastwood – a class winner at the Le Mans when he was part of the Aston Martin Racing family back in 2020 – continues his partnership with Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy. 'Both Rui and Tom are driving incredibly well,' said Eastwood. 'We love the car, and we are able to extract speed out of it. 'So, from our side, when you look at the line-up, we are pretty strong in that regard. 'We didn't have a great race at Le Mans last year, but as a team and a car, we have made huge strides in lots of areas so, hopefully, it can play into our favour. 'We haven't had the performance or results on our side, but the thing I am really hopeful about is that as a crew, as a team and as a Corvette programme, we're executing some really good races. 'With the energy side of things, we will probably have 27 pit-stops. Our guys have become super quick at tyre changes and the strategy has been very good in the last few events. 'When you add that up across 26 or 27 pit-stops, versus just four during the course of a race, it can really make a massive difference in the pitlane.' The LMGT3 grid is growing for Le Mans from 18 to 24, with a third Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG and a third Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R just two of the extra cars joining the permanent FIA WEC line-up.
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
We just didn't have the pace to stay the course in Belgium, laments frustrated Charlie Eastwood
The No.81 Corvette Racing Z06 GT3.R the Belfast driver was sharing at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was clearly down on speed across the weekend, with this also the case for the sister car of Ben Keating, Jonny Edgar and Dani Juncadella. Eastwood's team-mate Tom Van Rompuy qualified their TF Sport-run car 11th in the 18-car LMGT3 field following the initial 15-minute qualifying session with a 111.723mph lap. That set the tone for race day, with neither Eastwood, Van Rompuy nor Rui Andrade able to break into the points-paying positions and eventually crossing the finish line in 14th. 'It wasn't the weekend any of us wanted,' said Eastwood, whose WEC appearance meant he had to skip the Fourth Round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Laguna Seca in the United States with DXDT Racing. 'The result at the end of race day was somewhat expected but maybe slightly worse than any of us had thought initially. 'The positives, if you look at any, is that the team once again executed a really good race. There was nothing wrong with any of the pit stops or the race strategy. 'It was clear to see that we just didn't have the ultimate pace with the car to go forward in the LMGT3 class.' There was some cause for optimism, however, with Eastwood's car running third at the three-hour mark thanks to a proactive race strategy before the momentum shifted away. That chink of light could help the pair of TF Sport-run cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France (June 11-15) – an around-the-clock event where Corvette has enjoyed a total of nine class victories so far. 'The next one is the Le Mans 24 Hours and it is the one where you have the most pit stops – something like 24 or 25 stops in a race,' said Eastwood, who in 2020 became the first driver from Northern Ireland to win there in a decade. 'For the team to go in with the pace that they are doing on the tyre changes and things, I know these guys can make the difference if we have the pace on track. 'I am looking forward to getting started at Le Mans in a month's time and I am just happy to get Spa behind us.' Meanwhile, at Rally Hungary – Round Two of the FIA European Rally Championship – a double puncture on Saturday's antepenultimate stage thwarted Jon Armstrong's hopes of a top-three finish. Prior to hitting trouble over a rough and rutted 'Hegyesd' test, the Ford Fiesta Rally2 driver was provisionally third with Shane Byrne, just 10.6 seconds off the summit.
Observer
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Al Harthy, Valentino, Kelvin secure hard-fought 9th at Spa
Team WRT trio Ahmad al Harthy, Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde had to be satisfied with a ninth place result during round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Belgium on Saturday, in an encounter where the pace of the No.46 BMW M4 was largely maximised. Aiming to mount a podium challenge ahead of the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, continuing the momentum from their fabulous second place at Imola in Italy last month, other than a speed-limiter glitch in one of the pit-stops the race went fairly faultlessly. Oman's Al Harthy raced very competitively from ninth on the LMGT3 grid during his two hour-plus stint. Making excellent early gains after a superb start, he ensured the team was in the best position possible as the No.46 car spent a good portion of the first 120 minutes in and around the top three. 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship Following the system glitch at Al Harthy's second stop, an unfortunate drive-through penalty had to be served before Rossi and van der Linde then took the concluding parts of the six-hour race at the famous Ardennes track. Qualifying on Saturday went well for Al Harthy, ending the run seventh fastest and just half a second shy of provisional pole. Progressing the Team WRT entry into the all-important Hyperpole session immediately after, which Rossi contested, the Italian ended up ninth in the top 10 grid shoot-out. Following the team's second stop Al Harthy found himself ninth in LMGT3 and into the third hour he climbed back into the top six and worked hard to undo the damage of the penalty stop before Rossi took over. Battling his way back to the tail of the top six by the end of hour three, when the Safety Car was again required, soon after he moved into second as further pit-stops were made. Spa Francorchamps, Belgium Rossi then pitted and rejoined in seventh, climbing up to third with just a couple of hours remaining as the Safety Car circulated once more. At the next pit visit van der Linde took his first race miles with roughly 90 minutes to go and although moving up from the top 12 to fifth, after a final stop with 40 minutes left the South African was 12th again and had to ultimately settle for ninth position. Round four of the FIA WEC season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be contested over the weekend 14th/15th June at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps LMGT3 Race Result: 1st Alessio Rovera / Francois Heriau / Simon Mann (Vista AF Corse / Ferrari 296) 2nd Dennis Olsen / Stefano Gattuso / Gianmarco Levorato (Proton Competition / Ford Mustang) 3rd Davide Rigon / Thomas Flohr / Francesco Castellacci (Vista AF Corse / Ferrari 296) 4th Ben Barker / Bernardo Sousa / Ben Tuck (Proton Competition / Ford Mustang) 5th Mattia Drudi / Ian James / Zacharie Robichon (Heart of Racing Team / Aston Martin Vantage) 9th Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT / BMW M4)
Muscat Daily
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Al Harthy looks to continue his podium momentum at Spa-Francorchamps
Muscat – Spa-Francorchamps, venue for some of Ahmad al Harthy's most spectacular achievements in motor racing, welcomes the FIA World Endurance Championship for round three of the season on Saturday, when the Omani aims to continue his and Team WRT's podium momentum. Fresh from a near-victory at Imola in Italy less than three weeks ago, where team-mate Kelvin van der Linde took the chequered flag a mere 0.3 seconds shy of the race win, the duo and fellow Team WRT racer Valentino Rossi are focused on trying to go one better at Spa. 'We're all looking forward to continuing the FIA WEC season at Spa this weekend,' said Al Harthy. Imola was an amazing event and really did kick-start our championship. Everyone at Team WRT did an incredible job, Vale and Kelvin were super quick as always and I was so happy with my performance in both qualifying and the race. 'What can you say about Spa that hasn't already been said? It's an incredible track, one of the best in the world, and we have enjoyed so much success there over the years. I've always loved racing at Spa, the track is an amazing challenge and it's one of those places were I have always seemed to go well. After being so close to the win at Imola, we're aiming to fight just as hard again this weekend.' Imola very much marked the true start of the 2025 season for the No.46 BMW M4 LMT3 entry with a spectacular performance – Al Harthy fastest by some margin in qualifying and Rossi then sealing pole position in Hyperpole. In the fight for victory throughout, an unfortunate penalty threatened to derail the squad's podium challenge but an outstanding final stint from van der Linde brought the BMW back through the order superbly to second place, a fraction from the win. Rocketing up the championship standings into the LMGT3 top six as a result, only eight points shy of the top three, the goal in Belgium is to continue the high level of performance in the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to solidify their 2025 championship challenge. Not only that, there is a clear desire for some redemption too after an unfortunate retirement from last year's encounter at Spa. Contact from one of the Hypercar class Porsches midway through hour two ended the BMW's involvement while in the battle for the LMGT3 podium. Historically, of course, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy has a strong affinity with Spa-Francorchamps having enjoyed tremendous success there. Al Harthy's career highlight at the track to date was Pro-Am class victory in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2019 in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, then known as the Blancpain Endurance Cup. All achieved from a pitlane start!
Observer
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Al Harthy Belgium-bound as FIA season continues
• Team WRT's Ahmad al Harthy aiming for more podium success in Rd3 • Omani excited to be back at Spa, scene of huge racing career successes • Al Harthy, Rossi, van der Linde determined to build on Imola P2 result Spa-Francorchamps, venue for some of Ahmad Al Harthy's most spectacular achievements in motor racing, welcomes the FIA World Endurance Championship for round three of the season this Saturday, May 10, where the Omani aims to continue his and Team WRT's podium momentum. Fresh from a near-victory at Imola in Italy less than three weeks ago, where team-mate Kelvin van der Linde took the chequered flag a mere 0.3 seconds shy of the race win, the duo and fellow Team WRT racer Valentino Rossi are focused on trying to go one better at Spa. Imola very much marked the true start of the 2025 season for the No 46 BMW M4 LMT3 entry with a spectacular performance – Al Harthy was fastest by some margin in qualifying and Rossi then sealing pole position in Hyperpole. In the fight for victory throughout, an unfortunate penalty threatened to derail the squad's podium challenge but an outstanding final stint from Van der Linde brought the BMW back through the order superbly to second place, a fraction from the win. Rocketing up the championship standings into the LMGT3 top six as a result, only eight points shy of the top three, the goal in Belgium is to continue the high level of performance in the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to solidify their 2025 championship challenge. Not only that, there is a clear desire for some redemption too after an unfortunate retirement from last year's encounter at Spa. Contact from one of the Hypercar class Porsches midway through hour two ended the BMW's involvement while in the battle for the LMGT3 podium. Historically, of course, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy has a strong affinity with Spa-Francorchamps having enjoyed tremendous success there. Unquestionably his career highlight at the track to date was Pro-Am class victory in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2019 in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, then known as the Blancpain Endurance Cup. All achieved from a pitlane start! Ahmad Al Harthy: 'We're all looking forward to continuing the FIA WEC season at Spa this weekend, Imola was an amazing event and really did kick-start our championship. Everyone at Team WRT did an incredible job, Vale and Kelvin were super quick as always and I was so happy with my performance in both qualifying and the race. 'What can you say about Spa that hasn't already been said? It's an incredible track, one of the best in the world, and we have enjoyed so much success there over the years. I've always loved racing at Spa, the track is an amazing challenge and it's one of those places where I have always seemed to go well. After being so close to the win at Imola, we're aiming to fight just as hard again this weekend.' Practice at Spa begins on Thursday, May 8, with the opening two sessions ahead of session three on Friday, and then qualifying at 14:40 local time – Hyperpole following straight after. On Saturday, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will begin at 14:00 local time. Follow live at 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd2): 1. Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 44 pts 2. Arnold Robin / Finn Gehrsitz, 33 pts 3. Gregoire Saucy / James Cottingham / Sebastien Baud, 27 pts 6. Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 19 pts 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd2): 1. TF Sport (Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R), 44 pts 2. Akkodis ASP Team (Lexus RC F LMGT3), 33 pts 3. United Autosports (McLaren 720 S LMGT3 EVO), 27 pts 6. Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 19 pts
