Proton Competition faced difficulties with its Ford Mustang in Qatar due to a pre-event fire but performed admirably during the race, achieving commendable placements. The team overcame obstacles, with significant contributions from drivers Tuck and Gattuso, culminating in a points finish and setting the stage for future races, particularly the upcoming event in Imola.
Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 experienced both highs and lows during its recent outing in Qatar. The team, entering its second season in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 division, faced challenges when its 77 entry caught fire during the pre-event ‘Prologue,’ limiting testing time and creating urgency to repair the vehicle. Despite these setbacks, the car was successfully returned to track for the first practice session, where drivers showcased their perseverance.
In the opening race, the 77 Mustang surged to a commendable second place in-class before an unfortunate technical issue halted progress. Ben Tuck, driving in his first full-time FIA WEC season, initially commanded the race for nearly an hour, illustrating his skill despite an eventual loss of position due to tire degradation. Tuck remarked on the team’s dedication, saying, “I’m just sad for the team, as they did such a brilliant job getting the car ready for the race.”
Meanwhile, the sister 88 Mustang performed admirably, with Stefano Gattuso qualifying impressively in the top ten and Giammarco Levorato matching that achievement during the Hyperpole shootout. Both, alongside Dennis Olsen, contributed to a steady performance, earning a valuable points finish in tenth place. Following this experience, Proton Competition aims to enhance its results at the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola in Italy, scheduled for April 18-20.
In summary, Proton Competition faced significant challenges during the Qatar race but demonstrated resilience and potential for future success. The #77 Mustang showed promise with its initial strong performance despite technical difficulties, while #88 Mustang secured valuable points. The team is poised to build on this experience in the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola, highlighting their capacity for growth and competitiveness in the league.
Original Source: www.fiawec.com
