TF Sport face big challenge ahead of WEC opener after Prologue crashes (UPDATED)
Monday, April 26, 2021
Having kicked of the day with the customary tracking photographic shots around the 7km circuit prior to the first testing session of this week’s Prologue Test, both TF Sport supported AMR Vantage GTE cars suffered near identical accidents at near identical section of circuit (coming out of Eau Rouge and up into Raidillon) which brought out the red flags and ended their own days running each with substantial front-end damage apiece.
Fortunately for those involved, both drivers Ben Keating aboard the #33 car and Satoshi Hoshino aboard the #777 D’Station Racing car each manage to remove themselves from their cars and into the medical car unaided before a quick check over at the circuit’s Medical Centre allowed them to return to the team for a debrief. The causation of each incident is as yet unclear.
Both cars had only completed 18 laps each before their accidents with leaves the team now facing an early late night to facilitate the required repairs although TF Sport are still yet to confirm the extent of damage (and required repairs) to either car so as yet, we do not know if either are expected to take part in tomorrow’s final day of the Prologue.
The #98 Northwest AMR car of Paul Dalla Lana, Dylan Pereira and Felipe Fraga meanwhile took stock of the misfortunes being suffered by their stablemate team to get in the testing mileage at a reduced rate of knots that they needed to achieve in time for Saturday’s race. Over the day, the car completed nearly 100 laps!!
Tuesday is again scheduled to have a morning and afternoon test session before the start of more formal track sessions connected with this weekend’s opening race begin on Thursday. Time is tight for TF Sport if either car does have structural damage but, as we have seen before with the factory team at Le Mans, where there is a will – there is a way!!
UPDATE:
The team has now confirmed that the #33 car is not repairable at the circuit and have they therefore made arrangements for their ELMS AMR Vantage GTE to be brought over from their base in West Sussex overnight so that car should be ready in time for some running during tomorrows sessions.
The #777 D'Station car is less badly damaged and will be repaired overnight and completed once more spares are delivered from the Prodrive factory which should again be overnight.
Photo credits – AMR / TF Sport / WEC / Spa
