- A total of 25 cars from 9 brands entered the full-season of the GTWCHEU 2021
- Successful tests for the #14, #114 and #163 Lamborghinis
- Goal was to optimize setup
Le Castellet (France), March 27th 2021
Once again, the GT World Challenge promises to be a thrilling year that will keep motorsports fans everywhere on their toes. A total of 25 cars from 9 brands will be racing at this years’ GT World Challenge Europe.
Emil Frey Racing performed private tests with its three Lamborghinis to get ready for the new season and to deliver the best performances possible. All the existing as well as the new drivers got the chance to get a feel of the Lamborghinis and to gain first learnings.
On the 25th and 26th of March, the team participated at the official tests of the GT World Challenge Europe in Le Castellet (FR).
Each test program was drawn up individually for each of the three cars to get the best results and to make sure each of the drivers will have ideal conditions. Despite the team not being 100% happy with last year’s race performance at Paul Ricard, the test programs were based on said learnings. However, this year’s test performances were solid and the team is all the more looking forward to the 6-hour race on the same track, on the 30th of May, 2021. Apart from a few red flags, the tests went without any major interruptions. With the goal of optimizing the race performance finetuning on the setup was performed.
Team quotes
Jürg Flach, Technical Director
We just completed two very intense days of testing. We tried to use the data from our last tests as a base to setup the cars for the characteristics of the track here in Le Castellet. Though the results were not satisfying all throughout, we will be able to draw our conclusions and address the problems in time for the race weekend in May, and to deliver the best performance possible.
Driver quotes Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO #14
Ricardo Feller (CH)
We were able to draw a lot of data from the tests. We will be optimizing the cars according to said data, and to be as prepared as we can. The conditions on the track are constantly changing. That’s why those two days of testing were so important, as they showed once more that the wind is going to play a big role. We’re glad to have done the tests and we’re excited for the first race.
Alex Fontana (CH)
The test in Paul Ricard was quite important and a good thing for us. Paul Ricard is such an important event in the endurance championship, so it was great to be here. On the first day, I was driving together with Rolf. Ricardo joined us on the second day. We faced some unexpected challenges with the setup, but that’s what tests are for. Usually this is a test with a lot of cars but it’s not as easy to grasp the real potential of the other cars. We tried some things that we had tried on other tracks, which turned out to be suboptimal, so there was still a lot of work to be done on the car. But we were definitely headed in the right direction at the end of the first day and I’m sure my two teammates completed the work on the second day. These two test days were incredibly valuable as we’ve learned a lot.
Rolf Ineichen (CH)
The tests here in Le Castellet were intense but illuminating. The track is not to be underestimated and requires a very particular setup, which we inched our way towards step by step during the two days of testing. Alex delivered a strong basis, which we were able build upon. I’m confident about the race weekend in May and I’m looking forward to hit the track together with Alex and Ricardo.
Driver Statements Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO #114
Jack Aitken (GB)
The official test was pretty positive for us, even if it wasn’t perfect, we did a lot of laps as a team and learnt plenty! I’m getting more confident with the car and the new environment every day, and I’m excited for the first race in Monza in less than three weeks.
Konsta Lappalainen (FIN)
The tests were great for us. I think we’re much wiser now with regards to the car’s setup and how the tires work. Of course, there is still a lot to do, but we’re heading into the right direction.
Arthur Rougier (FR)
I’m really happy about the two test days here at Paul Ricard. I used those days to familiarize myself with the new environment around me. We’ve made a few changes on the car but overall, it’s going very well and I’m happy so far. It’s always good to see where we stand in terms of pace compared to the others, but of course sometimes it’s tricky to find out, as not everyone is showing their full potential during test days. I think we made good progress and I’m happy about it. We’re going straight to the next test now, which will be in Spa. I think we’ll be well prepared for the first race of the season in Monza in a few weeks.
Driver quotes Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO #163
Albert Costa (ESP)
Finally, the first official test of the year is in the books and we were able to see the performances of the other drivers as well. Our focus wasn’t to set a quick time, but to try a lot of new things with the car as well as different configurations on the setup. We did a lot of laps and I’m happy about that. The car is running well, and the team is doing a great job, too. I’m looking forward to the first race in Monza.
Norbert Siedler (AT)
The two test days didn’t go as we hoped, as we had to deal with some challenges. Our engineers have a lot of work and analyzing ahead of them to make sure that we get the best results in the end. With three cars on the team, you get to try a lot of different things and so each test delivers a ton of learnings.