The Corvette Z06 GT3.R claimed its first FIA WEC victory at the Qatar 1812Km race, with Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar, and Ben Keating leading a comeback from 13th place to win by half a second. This triumph follows their earlier victory at the Rolex 24, signaling the car’s competitive performance in endurance racing. Juncadella and Edgar celebrated their first wins in the WEC, while Keating marked his eighth overall, all while showcasing impressive racing strategies throughout the event.
TF Sport and Chevrolet celebrated a significant victory as the Corvette Z06 GT3.R triumphed in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Qatar 1812Km event. The team, comprising Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar, and Ben Keating, executed a remarkable comeback, advancing from 13th position on the starting grid to win the race by a mere half a second. This win not only marks the Corvette’s inaugural FIA WEC victory but also emphasizes its growing presence in endurance racing after already clinching a GTD class title at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The victory was particularly notable for Juncadella and Edgar, who achieved their first wins in the WEC while driving a Corvette. Keating, on the other hand, enhanced his legacy in endurance racing with this win, marking his eighth in the WEC, four of which were achieved with the Corvette. Keating began the race strongly, moving from 13th to sixth in the first three hours, quickly demonstrating his expertise and readiness to compete.
Edgar took over the wheel next, making a commendable debut in the WEC, and progressed the Corvette further up the ranks as daylight faded in Lusail. Juncadella subsequently pushed into the lead as the race reached its midpoint, with the primary focus now shifting to defending against competitors. In the final stretch, Juncadella resumed driving around 90 minutes remaining and opted for a strategic stop for fuel and tires, strategically positioning himself against the second-place McLaren, which chose a different tire strategy.
The last 30 minutes showcased intense racing as Juncadella skillfully navigated slower traffic and defended his lead under immense pressure. Meanwhile, the No. 81 Corvette experienced an unfortunate mechanical failure just an hour into the event, a disappointing turn of events that did not overshadow the triumph of the No. 33 entry.
In the Hypercar category, Ferrari’s AF Corse achieved a remarkable 1-2-3 podium finish, led by Antonio Fuoco, who overcame Robert Kubica to secure victory in the No. 83 Ferrari 499P. Other competitors, including BMW, Toyota, and Cadillac, showcased moments of brilliance, yet Ferrari’s strength proved insurmountable. In the clarified GTD category, Juncadella’s efforts not only emphasized survival but displayed resilience as he resisted attacks from competitors in the closing laps, securing another victory for Corvette.
Reflecting on the race, Juncadella remarked, “Looking at my heart rate, I think I was 35 bpm higher in the last stint than in the first one, so that tells you pretty much everything!” This was an unexpected yet welcomed outcome for the team, which had aimed for a solid start to the season. Corvette Racing is set to maintain this momentum as they prepare for the next challenge at the 6 Hours of Imola.
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R has made a remarkable entrance into the FIA WEC, achieving its first victory in Qatar and highlighting its potential in endurance racing. With a commendable performance from the team of Juncadella, Edgar, and Keating, the win signifies the car’s competitive nature after previous successes. As they head towards the next race, the team aims to build on this momentum and continue their success in the 2025 season.
Original Source: www.autoweek.com
