“Oh, we’re going to win it!” exclaims Darren Leung, infectiously positive about his opportunity at this year’s Le Mans with the #31 Team WRT BMW M4 LMGT3.
“You have to go in with that approach; for me, it’s all about progression and getting to the next level, achieving the next thing.”
The 2023 British GT Champion’s bold opening statement typifies the contrasting dynamics within the Team WRT LMGT3 garage. On one side there is the #31 crew of Leung, Sean Galael and long-standing BMW campaigner Augusto Farfus.
Across the garage is the #46 BMW M4 GT3, driven by Ahmad Al Harthy, Maxime Martin and one Valentino Rossi, attracting massive public and media interest, yet tempered by a whole crew persona that is noticeably more laid back.
“Even as the ‘Am’ I really want to start the car,” states 36-year-old Leung. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Leung has a comparatively short race history even for a Bronze driver, yet his average wins and podium stats across his entire career are among the strongest in the WEC LMGT3 Bronze roster.
“To get that unique experience might only happen once in a lifetime. Even if I were to drop the car on lap one, turn one, that’s on me… I thrive on that pressure because I want to operate at my absolute best and it’s where I push myself to be.
“It’s quite weird, for a guy who has a big professional interest in data I’m not too bothered about looking at my own race stats; I get all the feedback and information I need from these guys.”
As a crew Platinum with blistering pace combined with solid judgement, 40-year-old Augusto Farfus plays down his role as the #31 crew’s BMW mentor.
“I do this job because I love it from the bottom of my heart, and with five years’ experience now with this incredible brand when you get a team that arrives with the same drive and passion as yourself that’s exactly where I want to be. Everyone has his own way of dealing with and managing situations, but my teammates have exactly the same passion and energy as I do and it is a very natural fit.
“I had known Darren from the BMW environment but the first time we really worked together was at Qatar. The bonding was very quick and very strong. I have a very similar approach to the weekend as Darren, the same motivation, expressed in the same way. He doesn’t like compromises – it has to be done the way it has to be done.
“We have a very open, direct relationship: unfortunately, I’m a very bad liar – I have to tell him what he needs to know without going in circles and now it’s the same with Sean too. This, I think, is the difference.
“We won in Imola and had a strong run in Spa because we really work as a team. It’s not about any one of us winning the race, it’s us three winning the race. To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect before the year, but so far this is the most enjoyable season I’ve had in a long time.
Commonly understood to be the make-or-break factor in endurance sportscar racing, much focus is placed on the selection and ability of Bronze drivers. It seems the bar has been raised in GT classes recently, with the emergence of the “Super Bronze” an aggregator of consistency and pace.
Ahmad Al Harthy finds himself in his second 24 Hours of Le Mans as the Bronze driver in the #46 Team WRT BMW M4 LMGT3. With a pleasant, gentlemanly personality that belies his on-track pace, Al Harthy has a distinguished racing career through his own team interest, Oman Racing, mostly with Aston Martins.
“When I think back to my days in British GT, I never thought I would be here, certainly not twice,” said Al-Harthy. “I thought my Road To Le Mans races would be it.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be considered as a driver with a strong career history; in my passion for the sport I’ve always tried to dig in and find good drives and good teams in a way that will keep that passion going. Last year was our first year with Oman Racing with TF and finishing on the podium in the centenary race is something really special.
“So, when the option to join WRT BMW came it was not an easy decision for me. But with just one test with the team, I realised it was right… and at that point, I didn’t even know which car I would be in. It was a new challenge for me to do WEC again and also an opportunity to create another programme with Oman Racing in the GTWC.”
“The Bronze’s role in the WEC is a very important one. Sometimes people underestimate how important it is because the Bronze doesn’t win the race.
“But there’s so much we do to contribute to that, in a positive way and, sometimes, in a negative way. It’s nice to see the championship has given us the ability to qualify: that improves our driving because it reinforces our sense of importance to the team and our contribution.”
Platinum teammate Maxime Martin knows his Bronze driver well, having worked previously together in a variety of Aston Martin programmes and concurs. “Yeah, the dynamic between the two crews is really different, but this brings a special dimension to the whole operation.
“Also, my role to help improve Valle (Valentino) as a Silver is important too, so it helps that I always feel confident about Ahmad, he is a safe pair of hands. On and off the race track, it really helps that all of us are always in touch with all the banter that goes with it. That says a lot about the chemistry – there is nowhere to hide but then no one gets left behind either.
“We have a big name in our car but it’s all on one level – everyone has the same mission.”
Farfus concludes with the difficulty of making the right choices and having a crew that gels both on and off the track. “You have to try to find the best of the Bronzes in putting the team together as it is so important. It’s the most important part of the puzzle.
“Even if you have a Platinum in one of the seats the difference in the pros is maybe not a lot. Between the Bronzes there can be a lot of difference, not just in a single flying lap but in the mentality – you don’t always need the guy who is super fast but you really do need the guy who brings it in.
“Darren in that respect, in race mode, is probably one of the best there is: he has shown he can be quick but he is also able to adapt, which is a big thing. We also have Sean who is a professional with a credible background, he knows how to work with the car and we have the same level of conversation. Also, he knows more about this championship than I do!”
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