Qualifying for tomorrow’s race produced a familiar end result, but in a different manner, as the Embassy pair ended the 20 minute session in 7th and 8th mid-field positions.
But the numbers are only half the story of the session, as Jonny battled it out with three other cars all posting 1 minute 44s in a bid to start the race from 4th on the grid. Unfortunately, Jonny couldn’t quite find the few tenths he needed to put the 45 car on the virtual second row, but it is clear that the WF01s are well and truly on their way towards the sharp end of the LMP2 pack.
Darren, new to the car this weekend did an admirable job, but try as he might in the adrenalin fuelled session, he was seven tenths down on Jonny, but it is a measure of his skills that this was good enough to secure 8th right behind his erstwhile team mate.
So although the starting grid position is familiar, the gap between is closing. This at last provides the long overdue good news that the hardworking team is looking to build on.
With the pace to challenge and the 16 hours of Le Mans proof that the car is reliable, at least reliable enough for the Le Mans Series 6 hour rounds, tomorrow’s race at the Nurburgring could be interesting for all the right reasons.
Embassy favourite Jonny Kane commented:
As usual, there has been quite a bit of set-up work required on the cars, but they are getting quicker and that’s what’s important. We are definitely closer to the guys up front now and can compete on pace as well as on strategy and reliability. This is the best position we have been in and I speak for all the drivers and the team when I say we will give it our very best shot here. If we get any luck at all, something that has deserted us this year, I am optimistic of at the very least a best Le Mans Series finish for Embassy.