Not their day again for the Racing Spirit of Leman team in ELMS

 

 

Despite their pace, this weekend’s European Le Mans Series visit to the picturesque circuit of Autodromo Enzo E Dino Ferrari at Imola, Italy proved itself to be another disappointing affair for the Racing Spirit of Leman LMGT3 powered team.

After Clement Mateu had narrowly missed out upon a class podium starting position for today’s four-hour third round of the season for the #59 Aston Martin Racing Vantage powered car that he shares with Marius Fossard and Valentin Hasse-Clot, all of that effort eventually counted for nothing as heavy contact at the midway point of the race left the car stricken at the side of the track.

Starting just after midday with air temperatures quickly rising into the early thirties, Mateu initially held his ground at the start as the pace setting Corvette scampered off during the opening laps. The race quickly descended into multiple periods of Virtual and full Safety Car periods which then gave teams options on strategy and by calling Mateu in early, that did drop him down to seventh overall in class as the race again tried to settle.

Those early efforts were quickly hampered by Race Control after Mateu was given a Drive Through Penalty for a start line infraction and that did drop them down to near the rear of the fourteen strong class for the bulk of Mateu’s double stint.

 

As the race was approaching its midway point and the end to Mateu’s time within the car, the Frenchman had elevated himself back up the order to seventh and was looking to improve that still further as he attempted a possible double overtake going into Variante Tamborello. Realising his error, Mateu attempted to cut the first section of the corner only to impact heavily into the side of the #63 Mercedes which left that stranded in the middle of the gravel and the Aston Martin sidelined just a little further along with each car paying no further part in the race.

 

The team and crew will now have to regroup and go again at the next round of the season from Spa Francorchamps in late August.

Photo credits – Team / Series / social media