FRUSTRATING RETURN AT THE REPCO BATHURST 12 HOUR FOR TEAM WRT

FRUSTRATING RETURN AT THE REPCO BATHURST 12 HOUR FOR TEAM WRT

19/02/2024

Despite Sheldon van der Linde securing a solid pole position for car #32, the 12-hour battle proved to be challenging for Team WRT. The race started off promising with car #32 leading the first part of the race and both cars running in the top five in the first third of the race. However, an unfortunate incident involving a lapped car led to Charles Weerts and car #32 retiring on the 5th hour. Car #46 fought hard throughout the race, aiming for a podium finish until the very last minutes of the race, but had to settle for 5th after some great battles.

Race results:

1. Campbell - Guven - Vanthoor (Porsche 992 GT3R) 275 laps

2. Gounon - Habul - Stolz (Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo) + 2s633

3. Haase - Talbot - van der Linde (Audi R8 LMS) + 3s779

4. Buus - Eriksson - Evans (Porsche 911 GT3R (992)) + 5s403

5. Marciello - Martin - Rossi (BMW M4 GT3) + 5s869

DNF van der Linde - Vanthoor - Weerts (BMW M4 GT3) -155 laps

QUOTES

Vincent VOSSE, Team principal Team WRT: "We started with a pole position which was a good thing. The rest is, of course, difficult to swallow. We did a few mistakes like the others but we had two strong cars and two strong lineups. So finishing fifth, it is not what we were hoping for, even more when you see that within the last 10 minutes of the race, we were fighting for P2. Let's analyse to see where we lost it. We usually say that Bathurst is not a race that you win, but a race that you lose, this is exactly what happened today."

Raffaele MARCIELLO, driver #46: "It was a tough race. I believe we were able to get a better result but at the end we did a few mistakes and we lost too much time. It is still good points for the championship. We will try to do better next time."

Maxime MARTIN, driver #46: "We had an 'ok' race. We had some issues, some penalties, a lot of things happening. Very difficult conditions with this ever-changing weather. But at the end it was a nice last 40 minutes of fighting. I had one possibility to overtake, I had to try. I went a bit too wide and we finished P5. We learn and we come back stronger next year!"

Valentino ROSSI, driver #46: "We tried to fight until the end for the podium. That was the target. I think we deserved a bit more even if it was tough with the rain. It is a shame I could not do my third stint because of it. But on the other side, during the two and a half hours in the car, I was good and fast, my pace was great, and I fought with the best drivers, so I am happy. We had great pace on dry conditions, but we suffered a bit on the wet track. We need to improve on that point. So it was a shame to get those weather conditions. But anyway, we finished in top five, we enjoyed, and we will try again next year!"

Sheldon VAN DER LINDE, driver #32: “Qualifying was the highlight of the weekend for me. Indeed, being on pole in Bathurst was something I’ve wanted to achieve for a long time in my career even if it doesn’t mean much for the race. It is such a nice time to be on track alone, without traffic, for one lap. Unfortunately we had this accident. But there is nothing we can do now. I hope the season gets better from now on. We don’t want to carry this bad luck from last season again, but I’m sure it will turn around in the next races and we will go from there!”

Dries VANTHOOR, driver #32: “It is a pity how it ended but we had a great build-up to the race. Sheldon did a great performance in qualifying. It was indeed a real team effort to work well together, and to get the car where we want to have it in qualifying and during the race. However, I have to improve my 'rock, paper, scissors' skills because it made me lose the qualifying seat (laughs). At the end, the race ended short for us, but it is part of racing. The most important thing is that Charles is okay. Let’s analyse everything and make sure we don’t put us in this situation again!”

Charles WEERTS, driver #32: “Bathurst was the first weekend of the year. I was very much looking forward to being here. It started pretty well, the car was straight away in the window, and we had some good performance potential in the package that BMW and Team WRT gave us. Expectations were indeed high. Sheldon did a great lap and put the car on pole. A great effort! The start of the race went according to plan. We were always in the mix to fight for the lead. Then unfortunately I had a contact with a lapped car, and it was quite unlucky to get traffic at that exact post. There are different philosophies. Looking back at it now, I would have waited a bit longer, but we are racers, when we see a gap, we go for it! I still don’t have a lot of experience at Bathurst and I’m not the first one it happened to. I will not try to overtake on the outside there when I come back here. Looking back at the situation, I can only say that it is very unfortunate for our car. I feel sorry for my teammates, my team and BMW. But also, for myself because it is not the goal, after such good work from everybody. It motivates me even more for the rest of the season and I can’t wait to go back racing again!”