Lone Star Le Mans Race Review: Exciting Showdown at COTA
Austin, Texas — The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) delivered a thrilling contest with strategic maneuvers and intense battles across multiple classes. Audi Sport Team Joest marked its return to the podium, claiming victory in the Hypercar category with the No. 7 Audi R18 driven by André Lotterer and Mike Conway.
Race Highlights:
- Winner (Hypercar Class): Audi Sport Team Joest – No. 7 Audi R18
- Drivers: André Lotterer and Mike Conway
- Victory Margin: 23 seconds ahead of the second-place car.
In LMP2, Team WRT’s No. 31 entry, piloted by Robin Frijns, shattered the competition, securing a decisive win with a strategic race lineup that emphasized reliability over raw speed. The No. 31 car led the category for the majority of the race, showcasing an impressive team effort.
Key Class Results:
- LMP2 Winner: Team WRT – No. 31
- GTE Pro Winner: Porsche GT Team – No. 92
- GTE Am Winner: Dempsey-Proton Racing – No. 77
Porsche GT Team demonstrated dominance in GTE Pro, with the No. 92 car finishing first after a perfect strategy execution and flawless driving from Richard Lietz and Fred Makowiecki.
The GTE Am class saw a nail-biting finish as Dempsey-Proton Racing secured victory through tactical pit stops and consistent driving from the lineup of Christian Ried, Matt Campbell, and Julien Andlauer.
Technical Insights:
Teams optimized tire strategies for the variable track conditions at COTA, balancing between hard and soft tire compounds to maximize performance. The race featured multiple Full Course Yellow flags, adding layers to the strategic planning and execution during pit windows.
Notable Quotes:
André Lotterer commented post-race, “The car performed exceptionally well; our strategy was spot on throughout. We capitalized on the opportunities as they came.”
Team WRT’s Robin Frijns noted, “The team executed a flawless race plan; we kept our pace steady, and the car was brilliant.”
Conclusion:
The race at COTA underscored the strategic complexity and competitive spirit of the FIA WEC, as teams navigated both the technical intricacies of the track and their own tactical decisions. With Audi’s return to the top, the championship scenario is set for an exhilarating season ahead.
