Qualifying report
WEC
Double pole for Aston Martin in Shanghai
The #97 Vantage GTE PRO and #95 Vantage GTE AM both go fastest in class in qualifying for the Six Hours of Shanghai.
Edited: Nov 8, 2013, 1:22 PM
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Shanghai, 8 November 2013 - Aston Martin Racing has continued its run of FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) pole positions as the #97 Vantage GTE PRO and #95 Vantage GTE AM both go fastest in class in qualifying for the Six Hours of Shanghai.
The result starts off the #97 Vantage GTE’s weekend perfectly, as drivers Stefan Mücke (DE) and Darren Turner (GB) aim to rack up maximum points and take the championship lead going into the final round in Bahrain at the end of the month (30 November).
“Now it’s getting to the sharp end of the season we need to get some points,” comments Turner. “So, it’s great to start the race from the front of the grid tomorrow. The boys who have worked so hard on the car all year deserve this and it’s really valuable to get the extra point, which can make all the difference when fighting for such a close-run championship.”
#97 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8: Stefan Mücke, Darren Turner, Oliver Gavin
Photo by: Emily Rogers
Less than two hundredths of a second behind the #97, and taking the second place position in the GTE PRO class for the start of tomorrow’s race, is the #99 Vantage GTE of Bruno Senna (BR), Richie Stanaway (NZ) and Pedro Lamy (PT).
In the GTE AM class, the #95 Vantage GTE took the top spot with drivers Christoffer Nygaard (DN) and Nicki Thiim (DN) behind the wheel. Fellow Dane and team-mate Kristian Poulsen will join the duo for tomorrow’s race.
“That was a great qualifying session,” comments Nygaard. “The car felt great and it’s good to be starting the race from the front of the grid. We just need to convert this pole position into a win tomorrow.”
The #96 sister car, driven by Stuart Hall (GB) and Jamie Campbell-Walter (GB), finished the twenty-minute session in sixth. Johnny Adam (GB) will join them for the six-hour race.
“It’s a good start to an important weekend for Aston Martin Racing,” comments Team Principal John Gaw. “It’s the business end of the World Championship, with just one race to go after this weekend, and we are looking for every point possible.
“When you see we are on pole position in both classes by less than one hundredth of a second, it’s clear that personal best performances from all in the team this weekend are required. Perfect execution of the plan is needed from drivers, engineers and technicians, especially given that the championships are so close and the competition is so strong.
“It’s nice to have a double pole position in China, which is one of Aston Martin’s most important and fastest growing markets. We have more guests here than at any other Championship race, bar Le Mans, so it’s great to give them something to celebrate. However, it’s points at the end of the race that we need, so we must stay focused.”
Aston Martin Racing
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