Work still to be done after Qualifying for the two AMR LMGT3 crews in the World Endurance Championship
Saturday, September 14, 2024
After their near lights to flag command of the previous round at the Circuit of the Americas just two weeks ago, the #27 car of James secured a fourth row start to tomorrows six hours of Fuji in eighth whilst the locally based D’Station Racing crew of Clement Mateu (Qualifying driver), Erwan Bastard and Marco Sorenson could do no more than P13 out of their eighteen strong LMGT3 field within their #777 car.
For both Aston Martin’s, however, a recent and amended Balance of Performance change for their specific platform has seen a marginal adjustment in just how their engine can deliver its power to the wheels above and below 200kph – the cars should be marginally quicker at the lower speeds but with a power decrease on the faster straights. The original change saw greater restrictions imposed onto the Vantage LMGT3.
Despite that, and the expected success weight ballast that goes with winning the class the last time out – the #27 car did that now 15kg above its declared base weight, becoming the second heaviest LMGT3 on track whilst the #777 crew remain at their base weight.
Despite that, and the expected success weight ballast that goes with winning the class the last time out – the #27 car did that now 15kg above its declared base weight, becoming the second heaviest LMGT3 on track whilst the #777 crew remain at their base weight.
Looking through the Qualifying lap times, the #27 car finished that session in P6 and just half a second off the lead pace whilst the #777 car finished its qualifying process in P13 and just under a second off before James then went into the further Hyperpole session to finish eighth in class with a best lap time again just half a second off the pace of the pole setting #55 AF Corse Ferrari crew.
Being on the opposite side of the world to Fuji Speedway, it will be a very early start for us European’s with the race starting at 11:00hrs local.
There is still an LMGT3 Drivers Championship to be won and with CoTA’s result bouncing the Heart crew back up to P4, it could always be them by the time the flag falls in Bahrain later next month.
Photo credits – Team / Series / social media
