09
May
2016
|
09:21 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

First Win for Dunlop - Aston Martin Partnership

- Aston Martin win GT-Am class at FIA World Endurance Championship Spa 6 hours

- Victory in second race of Dunlop - Aston Martin partnership

Aston Martin Racing has claimed victory at the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) ; the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second race of the British manufacturer's Technical Partnership with Dunlop.

After securing pole in qualifying, the #98 V8 Vantage GTE of Pedro Lamy (P), Mathias Lauda (A) and Paul Dalla Lana (C) took the chequered flag in first place after a faultless 6hr race at the Ardennes circuit.

Demonstrating searing pace throughout, the trio amassed a lead of over a minute before a late safety car reduced the advantage. With former F1 star Lamy at the wheel for the final hour, their advantage was reinstated to secure both victory and their second visit to the podium this season. The result places them at the top of the GTE Am championship.

Lamy said following his final stint of the race, “When I had the safety car on track, I was conscious that my advantage would be gone. However, I felt that I had a fast car and Paul and Mathias put us in a great position for my final stint earlier in the race. I found the car to be very fast on new tyres which made the final laps much easier. With pole and a win, this is the perfect result”.

In the GTE Pro class, the team’s #97 entry of Jonny Adam (GB), Fernando Rees (BR) and Richie Stanaway (NZ) placed third after a consistent show of form across the six hours.

All three WEC Dunlop-shod Aston Martin Racing entries have now taken a podium finish this year.

Mike McGregor, Dunlop Manager Testing & Track Support stated : “Getting another podium in the LMGTE Pro class is another very good result and another step forward as we approach Le Mans while with the GTE Am class pole position and Dunlop’s first WEC GT win we couldn’t have asked for more so big thanks to Aston Martin.”

The next race in the FIA World Endurance Championship is the Le Mans 24 Hours on 18th and 19th June. However, before that, the Dunlop - Aston Martin partnership will tackle the challenge of the majestic Nurburgring Nordschleife for the German 24h marathon on 28th and 29th May.