Brno: Marc VDS event summary

A WEEKEND TO FORGET FOR MARC VDS The Ford GT of the Marc VDS Racing Team was unable to shine during the third round of the FIA GT1 World Championship in Brno. During the Championship Race, the car of Leinders-Martin was pushed off the track ...

A WEEKEND TO FORGET FOR MARC VDS

The Ford GT of the Marc VDS Racing Team was unable to shine during the third round of the FIA GT1 World Championship in Brno. During the Championship Race, the car of Leinders-Martin was pushed off the track by another driver, while the other car of the team, in the hands of Palttala and Kuppens, had to satisfied with a modest 16th place. The race was won by the Ford GT of Matech Competition, in the hands of Grosjean and Mutsch.

Two weeks after the brilliant GT1-win during the Spa 1000 kms the Marc VDS Racing Team was less fortunate during the third round of the FIA GT1 World Championship in Brno. The Fords GT of Leinders-Martin and Palttala-Kuppens had qualified 8th and 18th for the Qualifying Race of Saturday. During that race the #40 car of Leinders-Martin finished in 16th, the #41 car - suffering from major grip problems - ended up two places behind. In the Championship Race Bas Leinders quickly climbed to 9th spot, until the Greek Margaritis thought the Brno GT-race was a banger race and pushed Leinders off the track. The #41 car eventually finished up in 16th.

Bas Leinders (Ford GT #40):
"At the start of the Qualifying Race Maxime lost two places, which put him among a group of madmen who pushed him back to 18th. Even though we set 4th fastest lap time we could not get higher than 16th in the end. From that position we started the Championship Race, on a new set of tyres, so I was able to push very hard. Just before halfway I occupied 9th spot, just behind the Triple H Maserati's and an Aston Martin. Those guys were driving like crazy, pushing each other off all the time. Even though I was careful not to get involved, I quickly managed to pass the Greek Margaritis. But two corners later he found it necessary to push me hard, so we both ended up in the gravel trap. Even his team manager came to apologize afterwards. Of course it is very unfortunate to lose a great results because of the actions of an clumsy idiot, but I suppose that's part of racing. Now we shall focus completely on the Le Mans 24 Hours, in three weeks' time."

Renaud Kuppens (Ford GT #41):
"Since the start of the weekend we suffered from a general lack of grip. Together with Markus I tried an enormous amount of different set-ups, but none worked. I hope that we can have a extensive test before the next race in Paul Ricard, because it is very frustrating to cope with a weekend like this."

Marc van der Straten:
"Bas was driving very well, climbing up the leaderboard quickly, but did not get the reward he deserved. Maybe this Margaritis guy had had a bit too many margarita's before the start. It is a shame that this kind of drivers is allowed to start, just like the problems on Renaud's and Markus's car are very frustrating. Fortunately the dark cloud of this weekend had a little silver lining, because the Moto2-department of the Marc VDS Racing Team scored their first points with an 11th place for Scott Redding in Le Mans."