Proton Competition Shines at Circuit of The Americas Qualifying
Austin, Texas — Proton Competition achieved a significant milestone during qualifying for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Circuit of The Americas, marked by impressive performances from all three of its entries.
In the LMGT3 class, the team achieved a front-row lockout with its Ford Mustang GT3s. Giammarco Levorato in the #88 car clinched pole position after a tense battle with teammate Ben Tuck in the #77, completing the session under challenging wet conditions that saw them trade rapid lap times. Levorato secured pole by a mere 0.018 seconds.
“I thought we were out of Hyperpole; we were P11, then had to rush to the car,” Levorato recounted about the chaotic build-up to qualifying. “It was slippery, conditions you never like, but the car felt really good. This achievement means a lot after our bad luck this season.”
This pole position is particularly historic for Ford, marking its first ever in the LMGT3 category and the first WEC pole since Spa 2019. Tuck elaborated on their competitive edge, stating, “In the damp on slicks, we are really good. I hope it’s not fully wet; I want it like this tomorrow.”
The team’s strong showing extended into the Hypercar category with the #99 Porsche 963. Driven by former GTE Am champion Nico Varrone, the car performed exceptionally well, reaching provisional pole before settling for fifth on the grid after a successful qualifying run. Varrone expressed disbelief at the pace, stating, “I didn’t expect it at all. I found grip where others were struggling, and the car felt good.”
His qualifying results represent the best performance of the season for Proton’s #99 entry, offering a crucial boost for the team as they prepare for the upcoming race. Varrone’s enthusiasm was palpable: “It’s the best day of the year… We will wake up happy tomorrow and pray for rain. In these conditions, we have a good car.”
Proton Competition’s strong results in both classes not only underscore their potential in the WEC but also set the stage for an exciting race day.
