The Marc VDS Racing Team had cause for a double celebration at Silverstone today, with a second successive race win at the final round of the Blancpain Endurance Series securing Markus Palttala second place in the overall championship standings.
Bas Leinders took the start from third position on the grid in the #40 BMW Z4 GT3, but wasted no time in forcing his way through into second place on the opening lap. After holding off challenges from the #60 McLaren and the #1 Ferrari, Leinders then managed to bridge a five second gap to the #41 Alpina at the front of the race.
Shortly before the first pit stop the Marc VDS driver passed the Alpina to take the lead, immediately pulling a gap at the front of the race before handing over to Palttala for the second stint.
A quick pit stop by the Marc VDS crew saw Palttala rejoin at the head of the race, where he was immediately put under pressure by the #29 Ferrari of Salaquarda. The 34-year-old Finn managed to hold off the initial challenge, before re-establishing the gap at the front of the race and then maintaining it to the end of his stint.
Maxime Martin took over at the wheel of the #40 BMW Z4 GT3 for the final stint and quickly extended his lead at the head of the field. The 25-year-old Belgian was unfazed by the onset of rain with just 20 minutes of the race remaining, maintaining his pace and eventually taking the win with a 28 second advantage over the second placed Audi.
The Silverstone win was the second successive victory in the Blancpain Endurance Series for the Marc VDS Racing Team, and the first since a recent management restructure.
Bas Leinders:
“I got a good start from the second row of the grid, but then the Ferrari came past me and hit the Audi in the first corner, which I was able to take advantage of. I outbraked the Ferrari into Stowe on the opening lap to take second place, but by then the Alpina had already escaped at the front. I managed to close the gap as the race progressed, eventually putting in a pass and taking the race lead right at the end of my stint. Markus and Max then did a good job to defend the lead to the end of the race. It’s a great feeling to finish our Blancpain campaign with a second race win for the team and for BMW. Today’s result is a fitting reward for everyone in the team, all of whom have worked so hard this season. Congratulations also to Markus on finishing the series as vice-champion.”
Markus Palttala:
“Mine was a fairly easy stint. I was aware the Ferrari was closing just after the pit stop, but once I’d got heat into the tyres I was able to manage the gap at the front of the race quite comfortably, even while running the leanest map to conserve fuel. I came into this weekend lying fifth in the championship and looking to finish the season in the top three, so to be vice-champion is a great feeling. For that I have to thank Max and Bas, who have both driven superbly this season, as well as everyone in the team. I’d also like to say a big thank you to Marc van der Straten, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
Maxime Martin:
“I knew I had a good gap back to second, so I wasn’t too concerned when it started raining halfway through my stint. I just kept up my pace, took it easy, and brought the car home. Today’s win was a good result for the guys in the team, who did a great job once again with the pit stops today. Endurance racing is a team effort and taking our second successive win in the Blancpain Series shows just how strong a team we have behind us. It was a great way to end the series, especially as today’s win also meant Markus finished as vice-champion, so congratulations to him.”
Source : Marc VDS Racing Team