The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, supported by quattro GmbH, has clinched its first podium in the prestigious Blancpain Endurance Series, in what was its very first race at international level. Despite a puncture in the early stages of the race, Longin- Albuquerque-Ortelli finished second. The other car, driven by Franchi-Fässler-Piccini, was unluckier, completing the race in 18th position overall and 7th in the « Pro Cup ».
The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT made an excellent debut in the Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza. With one of its two Audis R8 LMS starting from the first row and the other one finishing second and on the podium, the Belgian squad has constantly been on the forefront. The team composed of Stéphane Ortelli, Bert Longin and Filipe Albuquerque was even leading the race ten laps from the chequered flag, but a last refuel obliged the trio to leave the victory to a Porsche that performed one pit stop less.
The drivers of the #32 Audi R8 LMS were having some regrets after crossing the finish line.
“It’s a pity that we had to do this additional pit stop, due to the puncture we suffered during the first stint”, explained young Lusitanian Filipe Albuquerque, “We clearly had the potential to win the race. I was impressed by Stéphane’s performance, who was leading when the puncture occurred. Bert also did a terrific job, catching up from 14th to 4th place. Then, during my stint, I tried to be as fast as possible while keeping at the same time an endurance pace, something relatively new to me. I want to congratulate the team, as it reacted perfectly after the puncture, performing very quick pit-stops. We haven’t won today, but I’m convinced the rest of the season can bring us great satisfactions”.
Second on the starting grid, the other « Belgian » Audi R8 LMS, driven by Andrea Piccini, Greg Franchi and Marcel Fässler, had even less fortune. While lying third behind Ortelli and the Aston Martin of Clairay, the Italian was forced to the pits by a puncture. “I then took the wheel from Andrea”, explains Greg Franchi, “but twenty minutes later, I also suffered a puncture, unfortunately in the very fast Parabolica corner, and I couldn’t avoid going off the track and into the gravel. Instead of helping me to resume the race, the marshals pulled my car out of the track, and it wasn’t until the Race Direction intervened that I could re-start the race. In the meantime, we had lost 8 laps and all hopes of a good result… We eventually finished 18th, but we scored the points of the 7th position in the Pro Cup. We feel frustrated, but we’ll try to take our revenge in the next race”.
Following this promising debut, the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT is heading towards Spain for the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series, scheduled on 21-22 May at the Navarra circuit, where the Belgian team and their drivers are confident to be again at the top.
Source : WRT