Race Report: WEC at Circuit of the Americas
In a gripping endurance race at the Circuit of the Americas, misfortune befell the #46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3. Leading the LMGT3 category for a significant portion, driver Kelvin van der Linde faced a mechanical issue entering the Porsche Curves, resulting in a power failure and loss of power steering. After becoming stuck in the gravel, van der Linde managed to restart the vehicle and return to the pits, but the incident cost the team three laps due to necessary repairs and downtime.
Following this setback, the LMGT3 contest evolved into a two-team battle between Manthey 1st Phorm and Vista AF Corse. Riccardo Pera in the #92 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3R and Simon Mann in the #21 Ferrari were closely pursued by José María López in the #87 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3 and Finn Gehrsitz in the #78 Lexus. Zacharie Robichon in the #27 Heart of Racing Team held fifth position, with Rui Andrade in the #81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R behind him.
Porsche maintained an overall lead with the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport, with Kevin Estre handing the vehicle over to Laurens Vanthoor. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Robert Kubica capitalized on a slow zone for the WRT BMW, pitting the #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P early and placing himself in second. Antonio Fuoco, driving the #50 499P, showcased remarkable speed by overtaking Brendan Hartley in the #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 for third place. Following a pit stop, Fuoco was positioned fifth, with the #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P of Antonio Giovinazzi in fourth and the Toyota maintaining third.
In LMP2, Oliver Gray had taken the lead in the #48 VDS Panis Racing ORECA, with the #9 Iron Lynx Proton entry in second place, piloted by Reshad De Gérus, ahead of Tom Dillman in the #43 Inter Europol ORECA.
This race served as a robust demonstration of both the competitive nature and the technical challenges inherent in endurance racing, underscoring the relentless pursuit of success by all teams involved.
