Qatar is this year once again the first country to host the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The prelude to the first of eight rounds in 2025, the official Prologue of the championship, allowed the teams entered to prepare for the first race, all the while gauging the competition. Over the two days with four sessions of running, several setups were tested and many scenarios considered. Engineers and drivers could intensely exchange information. Akkodis ASP Team quickly found their marks with their two crews, partially renewed from last year. In the #87 Lexus RC F GT3, José María López was back in his seat, and will be joined for the full season by Clemens Schmid and a newcomer (but well known by the team), Petru Umbrarescu. There are also newcomers in the #78, with the speedy Ben Barnicoat, and the young Finn Gehrsitz, while Arnold Robin is back for another go.
On the first day, the Akkodis ASP Team Lexus RC F GT3 was the car to beat in the LMGT3 category. In the #78, Ben Barnicoat set the time the reference time in the morning session, while José María López (#87) was faster in the afternoon (1:54.959).
This highly satisfactory start was confirmed the following day. Still in the game, Akkodis ASP Team set a top 3 time in the third session, and a top 5 in session 4. Across the totality of laps set, José María López set the fifth-fastest time overall, just ahead of Finn Gehrsitz.
For Jérôme Policand, Team Principal, these first laps are already providing a wealth of information:
“As we start our second season in the WEC, we must admit that we have a clearer sight than we did here this time last year. The experience accumulated in 2024 allows us to approach things with more serenity. Though this does not mean we will let up on the pressure. With the support of our partners, we are continuing to work hard to be competitive. These two days of running were productive and looking at it from a performance point of view, we weren’t doing badly.
"The two crews are relatively similar and are working well together. In the #87, José María (López), the team’s anchor, and Clemens (Schmid) who already knows the car, allow Petru (Umbrarescu) to quickly get up to speed. Same thing in the #78, where Ben (Barnicoat), who has a lot of experience in this car, as does Arnold (Robin), are accompanying Finn (Gehrsitz) to exploit his potential as fast as possible.
"The hardest part is still ahead of us, with an ultra-competitive field and eight high-intensity rounds.”
Although these results are encouraging, there's no question of easing up on their efforts. The next days will be spent preparing meticulously for the first round, the 1812km of Qatar (26-28 February). A long (10 hours) and demanding race where abusing the track limits will be scrutinised and sanctioned.