It’s a good looking nine-car GTE class as the full season ELMS GTE contingent, the continued health of the GTE Am market belying the woes of the ACO’s GT class in the Pro categories for now at least.
This is a class that has often doled out real drama, and where the apparent pace is often not the whole story!
Spirit of Race
#55 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Duncan Cameron 1:46.405 (B), Matt Griffin 1:43.915 (G), David Perel 1:44.959 (S)
A new look to their Ferrari, and a new team-mate for Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin after long-time collaborator Aaron Scott chose to focus on his booming historic racing preparation and restoration concern.
David Perel showed real fight in the many wheel to wheel battles he had last year in his GT3 and GTE Ferraris with Kessel against Iron Lynx, if the ‘Invasion Stripes’ now adorning the #55 keep the Ferrari out of trouble with errant LMPs this could be a successful chapter in the team’s now lengthy ELMS history.
Iron Lynx
#60 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Paolo Ruberti 1:44.683 (G), Claudio Schiavoni 1:47.616 (B), Giorgio Sernagiotto 1:44.250 (S)
Iron Lynx field three strong squads this season but the #60 is likely the least strong of the trio.
That’s not because any of the three drivers are under par, simply that their combined pace don’t quite match up to that of their team cars.
There’ll be plenty of fight here though from the all-Italian trio!
#80 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Matteo Cressoni 1:44.335 (S), Miguel Molina 1:43.789 (P), Rino Mastronardi 1:44.152 (B)
With full factory talent aboard in the shape of Miguel Molina, a rapid Silver in Matteo Cressoni and, by far, the fastest Bronze in the field in Rino Mastronardi, this effort is likely the pre-season favourite for the class title – Mastronardi can be thankful that the new rule in Michelin Le Mans Cup designed to reel in the fastest of the Bronze drivers is not in place in the ELMS!
#83 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Manuela Gostner 1:46.456 (B), Rahel Frey 1:43.782 (S), Michelle Gatting 1:44.501 (S)
After initially looking for a new look to the ELMS squad for 2021, some rapid-fire changes saw the 2020 (and for that matter 2019) squad back in place.
They’ve been eye-catching on several occasions for exactly the right reasons, coming close to a race win last season – Whilst there are other theoretically faster combinations in the class, the will to win is strong here, and this is a trio that gets better and better.
JMW Motorsport
#66 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Jody Fannin 1:44.296 (G), Andrea Fontana 1:44.289 (S), Rodrigo Sales 1:46.628 (B)
A subtle livery update has lifted the visual look of the JMW Ferrari and the 2021 crew looks to have consistency on tap.
If Fannin and Fontana can find a little more pace than at the test days, and Sales more consistency then there might be opportunities to be taken in what is usually a topsy turvy class!
Proton Competition
#77 Porsche 911 RSR-19: Christian Ried 1:46.509 (B), Jaxon Evans 1:44.795 (S), Gianmaria Bruni 1:43.496 (G)
No we haven’t put a picture of the IMSA car in by mistake! The #77 will carry the Weathertech colours in the ELMS this season as part of Proton’s deal with the IMSA title sponsor and GTLM class entrant.
Christian Ried is back for more again, joined by a very rapid pair, Kiwi Jaxon Evans still very much on Porsche’s radar and full factory driver Gianmaria Bruni back for a full ELMS season for the fist time since his JMW Motorsport days!
#93 Porsche 911 RSR-19: Michael Fassbender 1:47.177 (B), Felipe Laser 1:44.189 (S), Richard Lietz 1:44.910 (P)
Year two of Michael Fassbender’s GTE adventure and the Irish/ German star will be looking for more. speed, and fewer errors to help his progress towards the goal of a start (and a finish!) at Le Mans.
He’s supported by his driver coach and rapid Pro driver Felipe Laser, and by one of the most experienced Pros in this or any endurance racing field, Richard Lietz.
If Michael can put together error free stints then this is a pair that can take the fight to the rest!
AF Corse
#88 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo: Francois Perrodo * (B), Emmanuel Collard * (G), Alessio Rovera 1:43.682 (S)
*Did not drive at test
Sadly now confirmed as a withdrawal from the Barcelona event after positive COVID tests in the team, this looks a very solid prospect for regular podium contention when the squad return.
Alessio Rovera looks a real talent, a foil to the huge experience of Manu Collard and the confidence of a Bronze driver in Francois Perrodo who knows how to win races and Championships.
The car’s new chrome livery meanwhile is a stunner!
TF Sport
#95 Aston Martin Vantage AMR: John Hartshorne 1:52.007 (B), Ollie Hancock 1:46.005 (S), Ross Gunn 1:44.415 (G)
The car looks a stunner and is already a fan favourite – The combined pace here though looks set to see the effort looking to reliability and a little racing luck for their best chances to score well.
The car though will see John Hartshorne complete a hat-trick of British marques at Le Mans (after TVR and Lotus GT2/ GTE efforts), a fitting headline for a gentleman driver who has been a feature in endurance racing for as long as this writer has been contributing to DSC and its predecessors!
