UNFORTUNATE END BUT IMPROVEMENTS AT PAUL RICARD 1000 KMS

UNFORTUNATE END BUT IMPROVEMENTS AT PAUL RICARD 1000 KMS

The six-hour race finished earlier than expected for Madpanda Motorsport. The #90 Mercedes, hit by another car, had to retire one hour and half before the chequered flag. An unfortunate second round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Circuit Paul Ricard. 

Full season drivers Sean Walkinshaw and Ezequiel Companc were joined by newcomer Franco Girolami. The Argentinian TCR driver made his debut in the GT field and did well. The squad improved a lot during the weekend but was not rewarded at the end. Even the virtual life and the Esports race did not allow them to bring points home this time.

The following weeks will busy for the Spanish team. Two weeks of work at the workshop followed by the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa test days (21 - 22 June) and the third round of the ADAC GT Masters in Zandvoort (24 - 26 June).

Sean Walkinshaw, driver: “It was obviously very disappointing to end the weekend with another DNF especially after the progress we were making in the race which was really good. However that’s racing. I just hope we have used up all our bad luck and will have some good luck for the big one, the 24 hours of Spa. On a positive note, we definitely made progress from Imola. We still have work to do but it’s definitely going in the right direction and I think we will be super strong at Spa."

Franco Girolami, driver: “I’m very grateful to the whole Madpanda team for all the work over the weekend, helping me to speed up to get used to the car. I knew that arriving with little preparation was going to take some time to adapt and thanks to Ezequiel and the engineers, they made it as short as possible. Beyond not having finished the race, the balance is very positive. It was an incredible experience to drive the Mercedes AMG GT3 at night, and to be able to perform at the maximum. I don't have enough words to thank the Madpanda family."

Ezequiel Companc, team principal and driver: “It is unlucky that Franco had this unavoidable contact because he was doing a really good weekend so far and we were improving in the race. It was great to have him with us  and also Sean who did a solid job. We are really looking forward to Spa!"

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