Wickens’ IMSA Return Highlights Technical Progress Amid Challenges at Long Beach
Robert Wickens made a commendable return to professional racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, competing at Long Beach aboard the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, specifically modified for hand control. Despite facing setbacks, he and teammate Tommy Milner showcased significant advancements in technology and racing ability.
Wickens, who has not raced since a severe accident in IndyCar in 2018, achieved a notable performance during his debut. The 2nd generation electronic brake system from Bosch Motorsport proved reliable throughout the 100-minute race, allowing Wickens to demonstrate competitive speed. He marked his presence by setting the fastest time in the second free practice session and narrowly missed pole position in qualifying, finishing just over half a second off the lead despite sustaining damage from a side-swipe.
“It was all sunshine and rainbows going into qualifying,” Wickens said. “If you had told me last week that we had a shot at pole on debut, I would have said you are dreaming. But we ended up eighth. The hand control system was doing everything I needed it to do, which makes it frustrating that we didn’t maximize qualifying.”
The Bosch system is a breakthrough for Wickens, allowing him to re-enter racing with a sophisticated setup. Jordan Smart, a motorsport application engineer at Bosch, explained, “The EBS allows inputs from the steering controls to create a signal converted into brake pressure at the wheel. It’s true brake-by-wire.”
During the race, Wickens and Milner started from eighth on the grid, facing the additional challenge of lengthy driver changes—a necessary component in IMSA races—as Wickens requires assistance to exit the vehicle. This delayed their pit stop, impacting their overall positioning.
“Safety is the top priority,” Wickens noted after receiving a black flag due to loose bodywork following contact with a BMW. The team ultimately finished 15th in class, a result Wickens felt didn’t reflect their performance: “Our race was more or less over at that point.”
While the outcome was disappointing, both driver and engineers recognize the potential displayed. Smart concluded, “The system we have developed gave Robert the potential, and the pace was there. That was the key takeaway for us.”
Wickens aims to build on this experience as he progresses through the remaining IMSA sprint races, demonstrating resilience and technological innovation in the face of adversity.
