LMGTE/GTC
Continuing the USP of the series, the LMGTE and GTC classes are ferociously contested. Imola saw a superb battle for LMGTE honours as a trio of Ferrari 458 Italia’s dulled for the silverware. Ending in thrilling fashion, Andrea Bertolini made a bold move (sadly missed by the TV cameras) in his SMP Racing 458 Italia on the last-lap, darting passed Thomas Kemenater in the #81 Kessel Ferrari.
Along with team mates Sergey Zlobin and Viktor Shaitar, Bertolini enjoys a 13 point advantage in the title standings over UK duo – Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin in their AF Corse entered Ferrari. With Michele Rugolo, this pair took a popular and equally dramatic win at Silverstone over the Easter weekend, followed by a fighting 6th at Imola.
The stand-out performance at Imola came from Matteo Cressoni who was simply mesmerising in the early stints. He drove his Kessel Racing Ferrari on a completely separate plain to his adversaries and if were not for his team mate Kemenater having to avoid a spinner at Tamburello, they would surely have won comfortably. If Cressoni continues this kind of form then he will quickly become the benchmark in the category this season.
JMW sit third in the standings after a solid start to the season. Growing more confident by the lap, UK duo Daniel McKenzie and George Richardson re-convene with a new but entirely familiar name to the team. Double Le Mans Series champion, Rob Bell, returns to deputise for Daniel Zampieri. Jim McWhirter’s team will be endeavouring to pick up on the momentum from their excellent Imola podium performance. It will be a special race for young George Richardson as he will undertake his 100th professional race start!
While the battles have been entertaining and ferocious in the LMGTE category they have not been diverse. The Ferrari 458 Italia has almost been in a class of its own and has capitalised on a favourable BoP equation, particularly in weight and engine breaks carried over from 2013, to dominate the class. Feelings among many of the non-Ferrari teams are festering at present and if the dominance continues at the tighter Red Bull Ring then these behind the scenes grudges may come to the fore in a more public manner.
The advantage is so extreme that many LMP2 drivers are also questioning the Ferrari’s straight-line speed as they struggle to make clean lapping manoeuvres during the race.
There will be many other Ferrari challengers for victory at Red Bull Ring this weekend. Among them is likely to be the #54 AF Corse entry of Michael Lyons, Piergiuseppe Perrazini and Marco Cioci, which is more than capable of winning. Also don’t rule out the AF Corse-run AT Racing 458 with Austro/Belarussian father and son combo – Alexander Talkanista Jnr and Snr again joined by the ever rapid Pierre Kaffer on the entrant’s home soil.
So who could take the fight to the galloping Prancing Horse in Austria?
A trio of Porsches and an Aston-Martin is the rather paltry competition for the nine 458 Italia’s in LMGTE. If consistent speed in driving squads is taken in to account then the obvious interloper is likely to be the #76 IMSA Performance Matmut example of Raymond Narac and Nicolas Armindo.
They have a new team mate this weekend as Danish youngster Christina Nielsen joins them in the 997. The 22-year old daughter of former Farnbacher GT driver and boss of the Aquila marque, Lars-Erik Nielsen, has been competing in the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with NGT Motorsport this season. Coming with a decent reputation, if Nielsen can complete her time at the wheel without incident, this Porsche could be a genuine contender.
Gulf Racing field their usual Porsche and Aston Martin but with a slight and enforced change to their driver line up. Double Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain champion Michael Meadows fills in for Ben Barker who is competing in the Porsche Supercup at the German Grand Prix meeting just over the border. Despite some initial James Bond-esque logistical plans the journey was too fraught to make it to the Red Bull Ring in time to contemplate both events for Barker.
Again the GTC class is likely to be just as close as the LMP2 and LMGTE categories. Imola saw a fine scrap in the final stages between the Danish Formula Racing squad and a brace of the SMP Racing Ferrari 458 Italia’s, which put the impressive young Mikkel Mac under intense pressure. It was pressure which he resisted and soaked up like an old pro. File under ‘one to watch’ for Mr Mac
ART Grand Prix should be able to challenge in or around the front this weekend. With Alex Brundle in the #99 MP4/12C and Kevin Korjus ensconced in the #98 car. As usual a lot will be dependent on the relative pace of their silver and bronze team mates (Demoustier and Goudy in #98 and Ajlani and Gonzalez in #99). The highly polished French outfit are due a big result in the ELMS this season and Red Bull Ring might just be the place.
A very welcome return was to be echoed by many as Team Ukraine, victors in the first round at Silverstone, seemed set a return to the series after a one race absence. However that has now changed and they will not compete at Red Bull Ring.
Despite their silence, a reliable source at Imola did indicate that the troubles in their homeland of Ukraine did have some scope in them withdrawing their Ferrari 458. Whatever the circumstances it can only be a bad thing now not to see the rapid Andriy Kruglyik back in harness, along with countryman Sergii Chukanov and the ever reliable and quick Alessandro Pier Giudi. Another sad situation.
The Team Russia by Barwell run BMW Z4 will be one to look out for in Austria. Johnny Cocker has been looking forward to this weekend for a while, as the characteristics of the track should enable the committed Englishman to exploit the full nimbleness of the Z4. The slickly-run Mark Lemmer led team have two points scoring performances on the board and continue to mentor the inexperienced but improving Timur Sardarov.
And finally, let me pose a question to you. What do you think you will be doing when you are 69 years and 5 months old? I reckon I will be sipping a pint of Mild in a nice country pub, cocker spaniel at feet, boring people with tales of those mega old Audi and Toyota LMP cars that raced way back when?
Horst Felbermayr, aged 69 years and 5 months will be competing in a top line International endurance event at his home track in the LMGTE category this weekend. To put that fact in to some kind of perspective, Horst Snr was born in the same year as Jacky Ickx! A remarkable achievement.
Live coverage throughout the weekend will be available via www.twitter.com/dscracelive
All the usual news, reports, results and photos will also be available throughout the weekend. Do not miss this race!
THREE KEY TALKING POINTS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT RED BULL RING
- Can anyone challenge the bolting, galloping, slippery Prancing Horses? If they enjoy the same gaping advantage as the previous two races expect audible voices from the opposition and LMP2 teams/drivers for BoP pressure.
- Red Bull Ring is all about traction and nimbleness on exit from the critical Hella-Licht and Schlossgold corners. Might the front-engined Team Russia by Barwell BMW Z4 shake up the GTC class?
- Franck Perera in qualifying. Stand anywhere at any corner and just marvel at this man’s car control. Worth a long walk every time!
Sam Smith
