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GT3

International GT Open at Paul Ricard: Top 10 finish after a strong race

24. July 2024

At the fifth event of the International GT Open at the Circuit Paul Ricard (France), Leipert Motorsport competed with a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2. Once again, German Mark Wallenwein and Pole Maciej Blazek drove for the MOTUL-supported team from Wegberg. The duo had switched from the PRO to the ProAm classification before the weekend with the Lamborghini (#42). Wallenwein/Blazek delivered a strong performance in both races.

 

Due to scheduling conflicts for drivers Wallenwein and Blazek, the driver duo has not been able to undertake any further test drives since their debut in Hockenheim. As a result, the team’s conditions for the official free practice sessions on the track were not quite ideal.

Blazek drove a strong qualifying for the first race. He put the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2 in 6th position on the grid in the ProAm class. The first race was held in intense heat and plenty of sunshine. Starting driver Blazek maintained his position in the midfield in the initial phase, which was characterised by tough duels and many minor contacts. Wallenwein also successfully met this challenge and crossed the finish line in 11th place in the ProAm classification with the Leipert Lamborghini.

Wallenwein was not lucky in the second qualifying session. Due to a red flag interruption and the subsequent onset of rain, he was unable to complete a fast lap and qualified in 16th place in the ProAm classification and 26th overall. In the race, which took place in heavy rain and had to be cancelled and restarted due to the poor track conditions, things went much better. Wallenwein improved quickly and after the restart and before the pit stop window opened, he was even 13th overall and fifth in class. Blazek also felt visibly comfortable on the wet track and drove the #42 to the finish in 9th position in the ProAm classification. These results are even more remarkable because the duo must complete pit stops 10 seconds longer than their class rivals due to the re-categorisation from Pro to ProAm.

Managing Directors Marcel Leipert & Marc Poos:

 ‘Due to the drivers’ lack of test kilometres, the conditions in Paul Ricard were not ideal. But the team and the driver duo put in a great performance. The result in the second race in particular shows us that further positive results in the GT Open will follow.’

Wallenwein and Blazek will make their next guest start at the seventh GT Open event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain, 27-29 September).