Imola is an old-fashioned track – demanding, quick, and unforgiving to any deviation. Narrow and hilly over 4.909km (21 corners), the quickest cars can go faster than 300 km/h and go full throttle over more than 50% of the lap. What’s more, it’s quite hard to do any overtaking manoeuvres.
Great free practice sessions!
The three free practice sessions allowed the Lexus RC F LMGT3 to refine their set-up and to take ownership of this track.
In the first session, the #78, driven by Esteban Masson, finished second, just 0.093 seconds off the #31 BMW, while the #87, driven by Clemens Schmid, was in the top 5.
A few hours later, Akkodis ASP Team had a 1-2 in the highly contested LMGT3 category, thanks to Clemens Schmid, with a lap of 1'42''944, leading the #78 sister car with Finn Gehrsitz by 0.119 seconds.
The third session allowed the French team to continue its momentum by taking the best time once more thanks to the impressive Esteban Masson, with a lap of 1'42''852. The #87 (Clemens Schmid) got into the top 5.
Qualifying: the #87 on the first row!
Qualifying is paramount in Imola. Starting far back on the grid, keeping the difficulty of overtaking in mind, is a real handicap,
The session started under high tension. Following the regulations, the two Bronze drivers were at the wheel. Arnold Robin did not hold back in the #78 and finished 3rd, while Petru Umbrarescu (#87) set the 9th best time, allowing both Lexus to take part in Hyperpole.
In Hyperpole, it was up to the Silver drivers. The 10 minutes fighting for pole were fierce. Clemens Schmid (#87), the quickest, lost the advantage at the end of the session, beaten by 0.306s by local hero, Valentino Rossi. Just as combative as his teammate, Finn Gehrsitz finished P5.
Race: Magnificent podium!
The start was given at 1pm under an overcast sky, but with a dry track. There was a threat of rain, but in Imola, anything could happen when it comes to the weather.
Petru Umbrarescu (#87) was P2 on the grid, and Arnold Robin (#78) P5. The first laps were well behaved and there weren’t any incidents to mess up the pace of the race, which was already high.
Meanwhile, the officials were keeping a very close eye on the track limits. After 4 infractions (per driver), they would receive a warning, and then, a penalty, followed by each new infraction getting another penalty (to discourage those less attentive).
After the first hour of racing, completing a double stint, the two Lexus drivers were respectively P3 (#87 Umbrarescu) and P5 (#78 Robin).
A first safety car saw the race strategies come into place. The #87 and the #78 adopted different timings by playing on the type of relay (single or double) and the number of laps before refuelling. Thus, Clemens Schmid (#87) took the lead at the 2-hour mark, while Finn Gehrsitz (#78) was P5. The Austrian driver had a lead of more than 18 seconds ahead of his pursuers, then after a single relay, passed the wheel to Petru Umbrarescu.
Exactement à la mi-course, la #87 est P2 alors que Finn Gehrsitz (#78) pointe P7. Acque Minerali, Tamburello, Rivazza, Tosa, les virages s’enchainent et au fil des tours le classement ne cesse d’évoluer. La bagarre s’intensifie et les attaques se multiplient. Après 3h20 en piste, la #87 écope d’un stop and go (25s d’immobilisation) pour vitesse excessive dans la voie des stands. Nouvel arrêt (pour purger la pénalité) suivi quelques minutes plus tard d’un nouveau changement de pilote. Clemens Schmid reprend le volant de la #87 et Esteban Masson celui de la #78, pointant respectivement P12 et P5.
Le troisième safety-car rebat les cartes et la piste est déclarée humide pour quelques gouttes de pluie. Finalement, pas de pluie et la fin de course verra même le ciel s’éclaircir. Si le ciel se dégage, sur la piste au contraire le jeu se trouble. A 2h du damier, la Lexus Akkodis ASP Team #78 est à 3s du leader de la catégorie alors que Clemens Schmid (#87) est en pleine remontée, recollant le top 4 une trentaine de minutes plus tard.
The leader (#46) received a penalty, allowing Esteban Masson (#78) to lead the category. Only 1h30 left to go. The Frenchman and Jose Maria Lopez (#87) were in charge of this last part of the race, respectively P3 and P4. The end of the race was being fought at the front, but they had to remain vigilant to not spoil their chances. The two Lexus crossed the finish line in that order, claiming the team’s first podium.
Esteban Masson, Arnold Robin and Finn Gehrsitz climbed onto the third step of the podium, just ahead of their teammates, Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrarescu, who also really deserved to get up there.
In the classification for the driver’s championship, Arnold Robin and Finn Gehrsitz are in second place (Ben Barnicoat being absent at Imola is now P7). Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrarescu are P11. In the teams classification, Akkodis ASP Team is second, with 33 points.
Thanks to the work completed by the Akkodis ASP Team and their partners, this second season at the highest level of endurance got off to an auspicious start. See you in Spa for the 3rd round (8-10 May).
