IRON LYNX TAKES HOME POINTS FINISH IN TOUGH BELGIAN RACE

Iron Lynx secured its first points finish of the year in round 2 of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Despite showing solid potential, the team faced some unexpected challenges, although a superb run to the finish enabled it to secure a P10 finish.

The race started in a solid fashion for the #61 car of Martin Berry, Rui Andrade and Maxime Martin. Berry, who had made the transfer to Hyperpole on Saturday, stayed around his P8 starting spot, before handing the car to Rui Andrade. Unfortunately, the Angolan was assessed a drive-through penalty for track limits after having to avoid incidents. It came at the worst possible moment as it not only cost the team track position due to serving after a safety-car, but the neutralisation itself wiped away the car’s fuel advantage.

Further incidents led to more Safety Car situations and Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Martin was eventually able to put on a superb charge to fight his way back to the top ten.

The #79 car had to experience heavy challenges as well. Johannes Zelger had a positive early run, improving his position. However track limits infractions cost the team two drive-through penalties. While the car was still in the lead lap, Ma,tteo Cressoni ended up wide on the dirt on the outside of the Les Combes braking point and lost control, crossing the path of an incoming hypercar. The crash forced the team to major work which forced the team to stop.

The Iron Lynx crew is now ready to begin preparations for the most important race of the year, the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

While we achieved our first points finish today, we must be aware that there was much more on the table that we could have achieved. It’s a pity to see such a promising day for the #61 car compromised by something out of our control like having to avoid contact and getting penalized as a result. On the other hand, it was an unfortunate race for the #79 car especially because, after the early setbacks, the pace was great and a comeback was very much possible. We need to keep working to also overcome these situations and we will put even more effort as we ramp up our preparations for Le Mans.

Andrea Piccini – Team Principal & CEO

We had some good fights at the end and managed to pass a few cars. It’s a shame we had this penalty that put us at the back of the field, because we had a strong package. We could have scored good points, or even potentially fought for the podium. Anyway, that’s racing. We had some good battles and we’ll come back stronger.

Maxime Martin — Driver, car #61

Bittersweet race. The pace was there and I think we demonstrated it. Unfortunately, during my stint we received a penalty for track limits, which felt a bit unfair because I was pushed out twice and trying to avoid contact. We had to serve a drive-through right after the Safety Car, which put us on the back foot because the pack was bunched up and we got shuffled to the back. Maxime did an amazing job, getting back in the fight and getting us into the points. We just missed out on P9 by a tenth of a second. We have to take the positives — the team did a mega job this weekend and it was a step forward for all of us. The big one is next, so it’s time to focus on it and make a strong comeback there.

Rui Andrade — Driver, car #61