The three-hour race in Monza which marked the start of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup’s 2016 season ended with a dramatic finish for Emil Frey Racing in the highly competitive PRO Category. A damaged tyre just two curves before the finishing line cost the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar the opportunity to win points.
Up to then, the intrepid trio consisting of Lorenz Frey (CH), Stéphane Ortelli (MC) and Albert Costa (ES) had delivered an impressive performance. For the entire racing weekend, the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar had been in striking distance of the competition, finally qualifying in starting position 17. With a 1:47.936 minute lap time, only 0.427 seconds separated it from the fastest vehicle.
Stéphane Ortelli got off to a flying start and, from the outset, began fighting his way forward in the field of 57 GT3 racers. By the end of his first stint, the Jaguar was already among the top 12. Lorenz Frey then took over at the wheel, according to plan, and with his constant lap times, the team improved to 11 th position.
During the second refuelling and simultaneous handover to Albert Costa, the Safenwil-based team lost precious time and conceded some places. Costa nevertheless kept his cool, clocking up the overall fourth fastest lap time at just 1:49.280 minutes.
But then, their dreams were punctured: in the “Variante Ascari”, a combination of rapid curves just metres before the finishing line, the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar suffered a tyre failure caused by an earlier collision with a Lamborghini. With great skill, Albert Costa succeeded in keeping the car under control and avoiding an accident, but the all-important championship point was lost. Frey / Ortelli / Costa only achieved 20 th position, making them ineligible for points.
Comments on the race:
Lorenz Frey (25, Zurich): “Naturally, we were disappointed we missed what we thought was a certain point so shortly before the finish. I’m nevertheless delighted that we made our mark by achieving the fourth-fastest lap time.”
Technical Director, Jürg Flach: “We had a turbulent weekend. The car is reliable, the lap times promising, and our drivers all have similar speed levels. On top of that, our team did an excellent job, giving us optimism for the remainder of the season.”
The next race of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup’s 2016 season will take place from 14 – 15 May 2016 in Silverstone (UK).
Press release Emil Frey Racing
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