Charlie Eastwood faced a challenging start to the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, retiring at the Qatar 1812km due to mechanical issues in his Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Despite his team’s difficulties, he remains optimistic about their prospects, acknowledging improvements in performance. Eastwood looks forward to competing again at the Six Hours of Imola in April.
Charlie Eastwood expressed hopes for better fortune after experiencing retirements in his first two races of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season in the Corvette Racing Z06 GT3.R. The latest incident occurred during the Qatar 1812km, where mechanical issues sidelined his team, consisting of teammates Tom Van Rompuy and Rui Andrade, within the early stages of the race at the Lusail International Circuit.
The team’s number eighty-one car faced an alternator pulley issue, leading to the decision to retire from the race after consulting with all three drivers. In contrast, the sister forty-three car, piloted by Ben Keating, Jonny Edgar, and Dani Juncadella, triumphed in the same competition, achieving a win by a narrow margin of half a second. Eastwood noted that the successful performance of the sister car highlighted the potential speed they possessed during the race.
Reflecting on the setbacks, Eastwood remarked, “It was a big blow to start the season.” He also acknowledged that their early exit from the race deprived them of crucial championship points, considering there were significant points at stake. As the Gold-rated competitor, he understood the implications of a non-finish and recognized the necessity for consistency moving forward in the championship campaign.
Despite the disappointing start, Eastwood took solace in the improved performance of the car and the team compared to the previous year, emphasizing the readiness for competitive success. He concluded, “…fingers crossed our luck changes and we can start getting some good results together.” Eastwood is scheduled to compete next in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Six Hours of Imola in Italy on April 19th/20th.
In summary, Charlie Eastwood’s season began with significant challenges, marked by retirements in both the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and the Qatar 1812km race. Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic about the improvements made to the team and their car, expressing hope for better results in the upcoming races. The loss of points in Qatar emphasizes the importance of consistency in their championship pursuit.
Original Source: www.irishnews.com
