British GT Championship: Kirchhöfer Eyes Consistency as Spa Approaches
Marvin Kirchhöfer, McLaren factory driver, emphasizes the importance of consistent results as the British GT Championship heads to Spa-Francorchamps for the upcoming three-hour endurance race. With the title race intensifying, Kirchhöfer, who shares the #77 Optimum Motorsport McLaren GT3 EVO with Morgan Tillbrook, acknowledged the unique challenges that UK circuits present.
Following the first sprint weekend at Oulton Park, where they secured eighth and fifth-place finishes in two one-hour races, Kirchhöfer reflected on the demanding nature of Oulton Park: “It isn’t our strongest track… but it’s still fun to drive.” Despite these results, they maintained their position in the championship standings, sitting third with 67 points, just 10 points off the leaders, Kiern Jewiss and Charles Dawson of 2 Seas Motorsport.
Kirchhöfer noted the McLaren’s strengths: “The car excels in medium- and high-speed corners due to its excellent downforce,” a benefit he anticipates will play well at Spa, known for its high-speed layout. However, he acknowledged that straight-line speed is a trade-off: “That’s the downside of high downforce.”
Looking ahead to Spa, Kirchhöfer emphasized strategic planning: “A three-hour race involves more strategy and a bit of luck," underscoring the potential impacts of safety cars and track limits. He added, “It’s crucial to adapt quickly, especially compared to shorter races.”
As the championship reaches its midway point, Kirchhöfer reinforced the collaborative nature of Pro-Am racing: “The bronze driver is almost more important than the pro." Tillbrook, continuing to improve rapidly, has shown promise, recently demonstrating impressive pace at Silverstone. “He had very strong pace and was likely the fastest bronze driver out there,” Kirchhöfer stated.
The Spa event marks a significant stretch in the championship’s trajectory and offers both drivers an opportunity to capitalize on their McLaren’s aerodynamic advantages ahead of the iconic 24 Hours of Spa.
