For Maxime Martin highly intense weekends are on the books. Merely one week after having distinguished himself in the extremely popular 25 Hours VW Fun Cup at Spa-Francorchamps, not without imposing himself in the rankings of the two-seaters, the young Belgian was back in business in the FIA GT1 World Championship as also the European FIA GT3 Championship. And this time around it was the turn of the French Paul Ricard circuit, in the Var, to welcome the Grand Touring power beasts.

On this rather fast circuit, Maxime Martin was fully aware that the task ahead would be arduous for the Ford GTs of the Belgian Marc VDS Racing team. « We suspected that we wouldn’t be at our best here, all the more seeing that we had somewhat lost our way with the car’s set-up at the beginning of the weekend, the young Belgian explained. But after that we soon made up. This allowed us to clinch 5th place this Saturday, following the Qualifying Race. »

This Sunday, Fred Makowiecki and Maxime Martin gave it their all, and the Marc VDS Racing team excelled during the mandatory pit-stop, proving to be faster than their rivals. This allowed Maxime to claim 3rd place near the end of the race … before being swallowed up by a Nissan GT-R, and then an Aston Martin DBR9 in the last hectometres, finally taking the chequered flag in 6th place.

« What can I say, apart from the fact that it’s impossible to perform any better with the engine we presently have at our disposal, Maxime Martin commented at the end of the race. So in fact I’m asking myself a few questions: what’s the point of carrying on like this? We’re only playing walk-on parts in most of these FIA GT1 events. On winding tracks the car is perfect, but as soon as we reach straights the others take 20, 30 or 40 odd meters on us! Even if I hadn’t attacked the Aston Martin ranked 3rd, the Nissan would have swallowed me up without the shadow of a doubt. The team are doing what they need to do, but as long as the other cars aren’t additionally flanged we stand no chance of clinching a victory. With that in mind what’s the point in carrying on? »

Frustration also in the European FIA GT3 Championship, where Maxime Martin together with his French team mate Gaël Lesoudier, initially had to contend with major tyre problems on the Aston Martin DBRS9 LMP Motorsport. Outcome: a first race better forgotten, resulting in a 9th place overall.

« With a view to the second race we changed everything, and after that we rediscovered an Aston performing brilliantly on this circuit which obviously suits it well, Maxime continued. Right from the start I rid myself of the Audi ahead of me, and took the lead. Gaël relayed me and remained in the lead for a long time prior to being subjected to the law of the Porsche driven by Van Splunteren. All in all we finished in 2nd place, which in itself is a solid result, and allows us to reap precious points in the championship… »

However… “Between Gaël and myself, there is a difference of 3 seconds per lap. I am Gold, and he is Bronze. Normal. On the other hand, between Maxime Soulet and Paul Van Splunteren, there is but a mere difference of 8 tenths of a second per lap. They are fast … but they are both Silver! So with these figures how can one ever claim a victory? On top of that the Balance of Performance has not been modified since the beginning of the season. The fact also remains that on the fast tracks the power of the Aston allowed us to make up the difference .It’s not so much the case now. With a miracle cure? If only we knew.. »

Result: one podium, one top 5, one top 6 and one top 10 for Maxime Martin at the end of this weekend in the Var region. And more especially a large dose of frustration which undoubtedly will be discussed again at a later date. In the meanwhile preparations for the 24 Hours of Spa, the highlight of the Blancpain Endurance Series, will start, and the last weekend of July, it is at the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3 Marc VDS Racing that Maxime Martin, joined by Bas Leinders and Marc Hennerici, will attempt to distinguish himself on the world’s greatest circuit. With as an event opener a parade through the streets of Spa on Wednesday 27th July. The rendezvous is made …

Source : Maxime Martin