Proton Competition Faces Challenges Yet Shows Promise in Qatar

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 faced challenges in Qatar, including a fire in pre-event practice. Despite this, the team displayed notable performance with a brief lead in the race before encountering setbacks. The #88 Mustang secured a top-ten finish, and the team looks forward to the 6 Hours of Imola.

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 exhibited exceptional performance in Qatar last month, despite the team departing with feelings of disappointment. Entering their second season in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 division, the German team faced significant challenges that began when their 77 entry, driven by Ben Tuck, caught fire during the initial session of the pre-event ‘Prologue,’ which forced it out of the test.

Remarkably, the team managed to return the car to the track during Free Practice 1, where Bernardo Sousa qualified it 16th among 18 competitors. During the subsequent Qatar 1812km race, the 77 Mustang moved up to second in-class and took the lead after a swift pit stop executed by Tuck. The debutant driver maintained the lead for nearly an hour until tire degradation necessitated a relinquishment of the position, ultimately leading to further disappointment when Sousa experienced a technical failure mid-race.

Reflecting on the race, Tuck stated, “Bernardo made a great start, and everything was going really smoothly. I really enjoyed my double stint and managed to pull off some overtakes. I’m just sad for the team, as they did such a brilliant job getting the car ready for the race.” Meanwhile, Proton Competition’s second entry, the 88 Mustang, saw Stefano Gattuso, another newcomer, performing commendably by qualifying within the top ten. His teammate, Giammarco Levorato, matched this achievement during the Hyperpole shootout.

During the race, Gattuso, Levorato, and Norway’s Dennis Olsen delivered a consistent performance, securing a tenth-place finish. Proton Competition aims to build on this result at the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola in Italy, scheduled for April 18-20.

In summary, despite facing mechanical setbacks and a disappointing finish in Qatar, Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang showcased significant potential. The team demonstrated resilience in overcoming challenges, with promising performances from both its drivers, Ben Tuck and Bernardo Sousa. Looking ahead, Proton Competition is poised to capitalize on its experiences as they prepare for the next race in Imola.

Original Source: www.fiawec.com