2025 Le Mans 24 Hours: Tempesta Team Poised for Landmark Appearance
The Le Mans 24 Hours, featuring a record 24-car LMGT3 category, welcomes a blend of seasoned competitors and wildcard entries, showcasing depth and quality. Among the newcomers, the British squad Ziggo Sport Tempesta stands out, driven by a decade-long ambition culminating in this prestigious event.
Team Overview
Tempesta’s lineup includes Chris Froggatt, Jonathan Hui, and Eddie Cheever III. Cheever reflects, “This is the pinnacle of the project for me and my teammates, whom I consider close friends.” The team’s journey began in 2016, originating from Cheever’s coaching role. Since establishing the team in 2017, they have secured their spot at Le Mans by winning the GT World Challenge Europe Bronze Cup Drivers’ title last season.
Froggatt emphasizes the challenge, noting, “The ELMS is a tough place to get an entry; we just didn’t know how.”
Technical Preparations
Tempesta faces a steep learning curve at La Sarthe, particularly regarding the intricacies of LMGT3 regulations. The team is supported technically by AF Corse and completed preparatory testing at Motorland Aragon. Cheever notes, “We tried the car… running without tyre warmers is a challenge,” acknowledging the differences between their usual GT World Challenge setup and the LMGT3 environment.
Froggatt adds, “You feel the difference in aero… the longer you can go, the better,” stressing the need for tire management over quick pace.
Strategy and Expectations
To mitigate risks, Tempesta opted for a brand-new car specific to Le Mans, avoiding complications with their GT World Challenge chassis. Froggatt explains, “Using just one car would be high risk; we wanted to have a Ferrari that was totally fresh.”
With no championship points at stake during this race, the team plans to embrace the experience without the pressure of competition. Froggatt concludes, “We’re going to try our best to enjoy it and see where we end up,” anticipating an enriching challenge ahead.
As Tempesta joins Ferrari’s five-car effort in the LMGT3 class, all eyes will be on the team’s performance at Le Mans, a testament to their dedication and resilience in pursuing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
