Proton Competition’s Performance in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities
Proton Competition encountered mixed outcomes in Qatar with their Ford Mustang LMGT3. The #77 entry suffered a fire incident but rallied to qualify 16th and lead briefly in the race before technical issues struck. The #88 Mustang secured a tenth-place finish, and the team aims to improve in upcoming races, specifically the 6 Hours of Imola.
Proton Competition’s performance in Qatar showcased their Ford Mustang LMGT3 competing vigorously but ultimately led to disappointment despite positive takeaways. The team faced significant challenges as their 77 entry caught fire during the pre-event Prologue, which hampered their initial preparations. Remarkably, after extensive efforts, the car was back on track for the first practice session, where it qualified 16th out of 18 competitors.
During the race, Tuck’s driving propelled the 77 Mustang up to second in-class within the first third of the event. A swift pit-stop allowed him to lead momentarily before losing the top position due to tire wear. Unfortunately, a technical problem led to Sousa’s retirement from the race, halting their potential for a solid finish. Tuck commented on the team’s effort, expressing sorrow over the outcome despite a promising start.
In a separate car, the 88 Mustang saw Stefano Gattuso qualify impressively within the top ten, while Giammarco Levorato mirrored his performance in Hyperpole. Their consistent driving, alongside Norway’s Dennis Olsen, secured a points finish in tenth place. Looking ahead, Proton Competition aims to leverage this experience as they prepare for their next challenge, the 6 Hours of Imola in April.
Proton Competition’s experience in Qatar highlighted their resilience amid challenges, including a pre-race fire and technical issues during the race. Despite setbacks, their performance showed promise, especially with strong qualifying positions and competitive race efforts. The team looks to build on this foundation as they prepare for the subsequent race in Imola, where they hope to achieve better results and capitalize on their learnings.
Original Source: www.fiawec.com
