Lone Star Le Mans: Race Preview and Key Insights
Starting Grid Adjustments
The starting grid for today’s race at Circuit of the Americas (CoTA) has been finalized, following a penalty imposed on the #93 Peugeot for a non-functional rain light. The Peugeot team believed the issue was resolved prior to the Hypercar Hyperpole session; however, subsequent enforcement led to the black and orange flag being displayed after multiple warnings.
Qualifying Highlights
Antonio Giovinazzi of Ferrari described the challenging qualifying sessions in mixed weather as “one of the toughest” of the season. The #51 Ferrari secured pole position, with a close margin under one-tenth of a second. “It was disappointing to lose the pole. I was improving but lost time due to increasing rain,” he stated. However, with Ferrari holding P1 and P2, Giovinazzi emphasized their strong prospects for the race, noting potential competition from Cadillac and Porsche.
Cadillac’s Strategic Choice
Cadillac’s HERTZ Team JOTA made a tactical decision to use wet tires during qualifying while most competitors opted for slicks. Alex Lynn acknowledged the risk of this gamble, suggesting their car struggles with heat in mixed conditions and confirming they likely would not have improved with slicks. The Cadillacs will start the race from the 15th and 16th positions but remain hopeful for a strong performance.
Derek DeBoer’s Final Weekend
Derek DeBoer, racing for Racing Spirit of Leman, praised his team for repairing his car after an FP1 incident. The upcoming race marks his last of the season, as he returns home due to business commitments. “We feel we have something to fight for tomorrow,” he remarked, expressing gratitude for his experience within this competitive environment.
McLaren’s Competitive Edge
Sean Gelael, driver of the #95 United Autosports McLaren, anticipates a favorable race with the McLaren GT3s. “We feel we are in a much better window,” he stated, highlighting the cars’ adaptability to tire conditions, especially under dry skies.
Penske’s Porsche Strategy
Kevin Estre provided insight into the Porsche 963’s performance, acknowledging mixed conditions during qualifying. He described their competitiveness compared to Ferrari, noting, “We are more challengers than the ones to beat.” The #6 Porsche will start in third, aiming for a strong finish after previously securing second at Le Mans.
Viewing Information
The race is set to commence at 1:00 PM CT (local time) and will be streamed live in the U.S. on HBO Max and through the Motor Trend network. International viewers can access the race via the FIA WEC TV app.
This event promises to be a highly competitive and strategically intricate race, with weather conditions likely playing a critical role in the outcomes.
