With a definite plan to get the Embassy WF01 qualified as well and as soon as possible within the two day, four session, 8 hour qualifying window, it was with some apprehension that the car roared out of the pit lane and onto the Le Mans circuit on Wednesday evening. Truth is, the team needn’t have worried. By the end of the evening all three drivers had had a successful spell in the car and put in a fast enough time to see it placed a very respectable 5th in class.
With the first hurdle out of the way, the second part of the plan was initiated. Right from the off on Thursday morning, the crew were into preparing the car for the race proper. The pit garage was a hive of activity, concentration and deliberation. The car was stripped and all components requiring adjustment or replacement were attended to. Towards the end of the day and the imminent 7pm green flag 3rd qualifying session, the bodywork was clipped into position and the WF01 full race trim was rolled onto the pit lane.
Although a festival of red flags prevented the team from achieving the perfect sign off from Warren in the first session, by half way into the final session the car was brought back to the garage, turned off, parked up and given the all clear to start the race on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking about the two days, Team Principal Jonathan France said:
“I really feel that everything has gone very well in qualifying. Following the problems created by the crash during the test day, I am quite astonished that we have qualified the car 5th in class for the race. It’s a testament to the quality of the people we have at Embassy that in our first ever visit here we have done so well. I am now keeping everything crossed that we have the luck for 24 hours which has seemed to have abandoned us during this year’s Le Mans Series. I’m excited, nervous and emotional. I have a feeling it’s all going to be worth it.”
Check the website throughout the weekend for all the latest news from Le Mans 24 Hours race.
