MADPANDA MOTORSPORT TAKES A PODIUM AT THE SEASON-OPENER OF THE FANATEC GT WORLD SPRINT
Rookie driver Jesse Salmenautio and experienced GT driver Ezequiel Companc started the Fanatec GT World Sprint season with a third place in their class, which puts them at the top of the combined Silver Championship standings.
After a difficult start of the weekend and a first race ending with a seventh place in class, the drivers and all the crew members worked hard to fight back. The duo of the #90 Madpanda managed to make their way through to finish third in the second race. A good strategy and consistency from Jesse Salmenautio and Ezequiel Companc gave the Spanish lineup a third podium this season. As a reminder, Madpanda finished second in class in Monza and first in the opening E-sports race.
The whole team made great improvements throughout the weekend and got used to the Sprint events again. Indeed, with the exception of the 2022 round in Valencia, the lineup had not competed in the Fanatec GT World Sprint championship for a season.
Madpanda Motorsport returns to Barcelona to revise the car ahead of the Official CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa test days next week, which takes place on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May.
Jesse Salmenautio, driver: "85 days since the last time I was in the car. I knew it was going to be tough especially in Brands Hatch. After a slow start I'm happy that we got podium finish in Race 2".
Ezequiel Companc, team principal and driver: "Another successful weekend for the team. It was Jesse's first GT3 racing experience and he showed great potential with his amazing drive in Race 2 defending the 3rd place position throughout his whole stint. We have a strong starting point, and now we keep building up from here. I also want to thank our fans for the amazing support we are getting from them! Looking forward to Spa testing days".
