After thousands and thousands of the most demanding man hours of design, manufacture, engineering and mechaniching, the 45 Embassy Racing WF01piloted by Warren Hughes and Mario Haberfeld finally took the chequered flag at the Le Mans Series 1000 kilometres of Monza on Sunday to bring the team its first ever points as constructors.
The achievement is truly remarkable considering the project is only two races old, and although both WF01s have undergone quite extensive testing, this was the first time either of them had completed race distance. To score a point for crossing the line 8th in class is a dream start to what will hopefully become an illustrious racing career for the Jonathan France inspired prototype.
The race itself took place in perfect conditions and although qualifying had not delivered the ideal grid positions for the start of the race, the team had engineered some changes overnight which brought extra pace in morning warm up and hopes were high of some competitive racing.
We were not disappointed. Both cars began well putting in respectable lap times and securing their positions in 9th and 10th. After thirty minutes racing, Jonny had the 46 car in 7th with Warren close behind in 9th place. As the cars looked comfortable and set to begin picking off places, Warren unfortunately pitted with a problem. A minor electrical fault was found and rectified but that put the 45 car five laps down within the first hour. It was a shame, but there was still plenty of time to go.
So as the hours unfolded, both WF01s were driven beautifully. Team strategies were working and the mechanics, refuellers, driver changes and pit stops meshed seamlessly. The team effort was outstanding.
After 84 laps, Jonny and Joey had the 46 car in 6th place.
After 88 laps it was 5th.
After 96 laps it was 4th.
After 117 laps it was 3rd.
Embassy Racing WF01 LMP2 car #46 was running at Monza in the Le Mans Series 2008 in a comfortable third place – the team was collectively ecstatic and held their breath at the same time.
As the kilometers rolled by, the excitement grew – team principal Jonathan France was so captivated that he forgot to make his lap notes and began watching the spectacle as a fan as much as a team owner.
It was then, a huge disappointment when, on lap 146, less than 20 laps from the finish, Joey reported a problem with the 46 car and it slowed to a halt out at the entry to the second Lesmo corner and out of the race. Unfortunately, but hardly surprisingly, with such a young and unproven project, the team was momentarily deflated, but soon realized the magnitude of their success at running so well for so long in such a competitive field- in the most demanding motor racing series in the world.
Although unable to finish the race the 46 car displayed race credentials that clearly had podium finish well within its sights.
Indeed, as all the drama of the front running Embassy Racing prototype unfolded, the 45 car of Warren and Mario had been going about its business efficiently and without incident. Unable to claw back laps lost due to irritating new car niggles, the pair had nevertheless driven a fantastic race and quietly brought the 45 car across the line in 8th place to secure the team’s first ever points as constructors.
Following the celebrations, there was little doubt, that from principal to apprentice each and every team member was feeling the strain of a very difficult, but in the end, very, very successful weekend in northern Italy.
Thoughts from the Pit
Chief Mechanic - Karl Patman
“It has been a rollercoaster weekend because despite the obvious disappointments I feel we have made huge progress in Italy as there are so many positives to take from it. It was disappointing to lose car 46 so late on when it had been running without any major difficulties for so long but this was the longest both cars had ran without any major mechanical fault and with the time this team has had to fully prepare the cars for this tough series, I feel the weekends result is a major achievement.
The next few days will be spent analysing both the mechanical and electrical data to find the faults that contributed to car 46’s retirement. I remain confident that with the two weeks we have now, we will be putting out two very good cars in Spa.”
