Status Grand Prix scored a strong third place finish on its international sportscar racing debut with its all-new Lola-Judd in the opening round of the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard.

Its trio of drivers Alexander Sims, Yelmer Buurman and Dean Stirling, also all competing in their first race in an LMP2 sports prototype, drove the team’s Lola B12/80 Coupe faultlessly to secure the podium finish amongst the world’s biggest grid of LMP2 cars on Sunday.

Having arrived at Paul Ricard with the car’s build completed just one week previously, before a two-hour shakedown test, the result was also a testament to the hard work of the Silverstone-based team crew and the Lola-Judd package.

With Sims having topped the times in free practice and then Buurman qualifying on the front row on Saturday, the car had already established itself as a contender. And this was emphasised at the start of the six-hour race when Buurman swept into a lead he would hold throughout the first 45-minute stint despite pressure from polesitter Matias Beche in the TDS Oreca and Tom Kimber-Smith’s Greaves Zytek.

The Dutchman changed Dunlop tyres at this first stop, dropping to sixth behind Kimber-Smith and cars which had only taken on fuel, but over the next 11 laps he quickly carved back past three cars, including former Peugeot works driver Nicolas Minassian in the Sebastien Loeb Racing Oreca, to regain third place.

After the second stop, Buurman emerged in second place behind Kimber-Smith, and the duo enjoyed a continued battle during which ex-GP2 racer Buurman set the fastest lap of the race up to that point and handed the car over in second place to Stirling on lap 79.

The Briton, who is graduating to LMP2 from the Speed Euroseries, set about his task of maintaining the Status GP car’s momentum. Despite completing less than 30 laps in the car on Saturday, the 25-year-old stayed out of trouble in the race, getting faster over his two stints before pitting in sixth place.

Sportscar debutant Sims, a single-seater ace in GP3 in 2011, then set about the chase for a podium. Sims was soon the fastest on the circuit and progressed up to fourth place. The Briton maintained the pace to close gradually the 45-second gap on Minassian’s team-mate Stephane Sarrazin, and the was then promoted to third place when the Greaves car was given a stop-go penalty.

After this final pitstop for fuel the 24-year-old eased off to maintain the gap behind to the Greaves car and ensure Status GP secured a podium and 15 championship points.

POST-RACE QUOTES

Teddy Yip – Sttaus GP team principal

“After all the team’s hard-work in the run up to Status GP’s maiden sportscar race, to come away with a podium is a great achievement. The team crew, and our technical suppliers, especially Lola, Judd and Dunlop, have made huge contributions, and the reliability and speed of the car has been excellent. And the drivers did us proud. To lead at the start with Yelmer was great, Dean did everything we asked of him and kept out of trouble, and Alexander was the perfect guy to bring the Lola into the podium positions and to the chequered flag.”

Alexander Sims

“I really pushed hard during my first two stints, going flat out, and the car responded very well. It’s a quick package and we can be contenders everywhere with this. When the gaps in front and behind me appeared to offer no real chance of a position change, I eased back to ensure we got home. A podium is a great start and we will build from here.”

Dean Stirling

“This was my first race in LMP2 at this level, and with no opportunity to test before the race weekend it’s been a learning experience for me. My confidence in the car was growing over the stints, and the Lola is fantastic to drive. It’s been great to drive with these two team-mates and I thank them and the team for doing a great job.”

Yelmer Buurman

“Status GP made a huge effort to be here at Paul Ricard, and this result is a good reward. At the start I made the most of a good getaway and it was a great feeling to lead. It was a hot pace and I began to struggle with tyre wear a little, but over the next two stints the car was fast and consistent. To race a prototype sportscar is great and the final result is satisfying for us all.”

Source : Status GP