Proton Competition Showcases Resilience in Qatar Despite Setbacks

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 displayed commendable performance at the Qatar event despite experiencing a fire incident during testing. Ben Tuck and Bernardo Sousa’s efforts in the race showcased resilience, with noteworthy standings achieved. The team is now focused on improving for the next competition at the 6 Hours of Imola.

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 exhibited impressive performance in Qatar last month, yet the team departed with a sense of disappointment. Despite this, several encouraging aspects emerged from their efforts. In their second season within the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 division, preparations were hindered when the 77 entry, driven by Ben Tuck, caught fire during the initial session of the pre-event ‘Prologue’, rendering it unusable for further testing.

After an extensive effort, the Mustang returned in FP1, where rally driver Bernardo Sousa qualified it 16th among 18 strong competitors. The following day in the Qatar 1812km, the 77 car quickly ascended to second in-class. Following a rapid pit stop, Tuck took the lead; however, the Brit eventually had to relinquish it due to tire wear. A strong performance met with disappointment ensued when Sousa’s vehicle faced a technical failure midway through the race.

Reflecting on the race, Tuck expressed, “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.” In the sister 88 Mustang, newcomer Stefano Gattuso qualified impressively within the top ten, alongside Giammarco Levorato’s performance in the Hyperpole shootout.

The Italian pairing, along with Norway’s Dennis Olsen, maintained a consistent presence throughout the race, ultimately securing a tenth-place finish. This result provides a foundation for Proton Competition as they prepare for the next event, the 6 Hours of Imola in Italy, scheduled for 18-20 April.

In conclusion, although Proton Competition faced challenges in Qatar, their performance in the LMGT3 division showcased both resilience and potential. The team overcame significant obstacles, achieving noteworthy results that lay the groundwork for future races. As they move forward to the 6 Hours of Imola, there remains optimism surrounding their capabilities and competitiveness within the championship.

Original Source: www.fiawec.com