Proton Competition Faces Tribulations but Shows Promise in Qatar

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 faced a challenging start in Qatar but showed commendable performance during the race. Despite a fire incident affecting their #77 entry, they secured significant positions, with Tuck leading briefly before encountering issues. The #88 Mustang also finished in the points, setting a positive outlook for the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola.

Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang LMGT3 showcased remarkable performance in Qatar last month, yet the team departed with a sense of disappointment. Despite this emotional setback, they have several reasons for optimism moving forward. With the team entering its second season in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 division, their preparations faced significant challenges, including a fire incident affecting their 77 entry driven by Ben Tuck during the Prologue.

Following an extensive effort, the car was repaired and returned to the track during the first practice session, where rally driver Bernardo Sousa qualified it 16th out of 18 competitors. Remarkably, during the race, Tuck propelled the Mustang to second place in class by one-third distance, taking advantage of a rapid pit stop that allowed him to lead for a significant period.

During his maiden full-time FIA WEC race, Tuck exhibited impressive driving skills, leading against competitive entries before needing to relinquish the position due to tire issues. Sadly, Sousa faced a technical failure mid-race, which prevented a stronger finish. “Bernardo made a great start, and everything was going really smoothly,” Tuck stated, reflecting on their performance.

In the 88 Mustang, Stefano Gattuso also delivered an impressive performance, qualifying in the top ten. His teammate Giammarco Levorato matched this achievement in the Hyperpole shootout. Gattuso, Levorato, and Norwegian driver Dennis Olsen maintained consistent performance throughout the race, securing a points finish in tenth place, setting the stage for further progress at the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola in Italy from April 18-20.

Proton Competition showcased both resilience and potential in Qatar, despite facing numerous challenges, including a pre-race fire that hindered initial preparations. The strong performance by Tuck and Sousa, alongside the solid qualifying results from Gattuso and Levorato, provide a firm foundation for future improvements. The team looks promising as they prepare for the next race in Imola, Italy, aiming to build on their experiences and enhance their competitiveness.

Original Source: www.fiawec.com