The Schumacher CLRT team and its drivers Frédéric Makowiecki, Matt Campbell and Ayhancan Güven finished in the top quarter of the 24 Spa Hours, less than a second from the podium, after remaining throughout the race in the same lap as the leaders. This is a first-rate result for the team led by Côme Ledogar, who mastered his subject in the face of very high level opposition, for his only endurance appearance of the season.
To better understand how the Porsche #22 made his way to final 4th place, let’s give the floor to the pilots…
Matt Campbell (Australia, 31 ans, 1is LM GTE Am aux 24 Le Mans Hours, winner of 24 Times of Daytona and 12 Bathurst Hours…) : “The race was intense, we had to stay in the leading lap and keep the car in good condition, which was not obvious ! But I think we had a good race, without any big mistakes and we fought for the podium until the end. Unfortunately we lacked a little luck on the strategy and a little something on the track as well. We suffered more in traffic, For example. Mid-morning, a McLaren slammed into the back of the car as I overtook a Mercedes at the end of the Kemmel straight. It didn't help the engine performance either. At the end of the day, P4, it’s still a good result in such a difficult race. »
Ayhancan Güven (Türkiye, 28 ans, champion DTM, FIA Motorsport Games GT Sprint gold medal, winner of 12 Bathurst Hours…) : “From the start of the race, I felt we had a very good car. The team made small adjustments and it became even better. The idea was to stay in the leading group until the end, what we managed to do despite some penalties and contacts. But due to the damage caused by the collision with the McLaren, we were never able to overtake the Ferrari and the Mercedes on the track, we were stuck behind and that didn't allow us to fight for victory. The team tried strategies but our rivals knew how to react. Frankly, I gave everything and I don't see what more we could do. »
Frédéric Makowiecki (France, 45 ans, 1is LM GTE Pro aux 24 Le Mans Hours, FIA GT1 World Vice-Champion, winner of 24 Nürburgring Hours…) : “You must not be disappointed. A twenty-four hour race, it’s already a challenge to finish it. I think everyone can be very proud of the work that was done.. The car was wonderfully well prepared. It is by building yourself in races like this that you become stronger and stronger and at one point or another, it will pay. The team has a lot of potential and I'm sure this is just the beginning. »
The conclusion is brought to us by Como Ledogar, who won the 24 Spa Hours as a driver in 2021 and played in front this year as team manager : “During the last hours of the race, track conditions favored performance, but unlike the others, we did not take advantage of it because of the heavy contact suffered in the morning, which partially blocked the exhaust outlet. In any case, for us, it's a good result because we don't do the whole season and because we are the smallest structure on the field with only 12 people. Well done to the whole team ! It's the most beautiful race in the world, In any case, I loved doing it as a driver and I love doing it as a team. »
The season continues on the double front of the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, THE 4 et 5 July at the Norisring, then the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, back to Spa-Francorchamps 18 et 19 July !