24h Le Mans
43 teams (fielding 61 cars) competed in the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Super Finale of the FIA WEC 2018-19 World Endurance Championship. There were winners, of course, but also mechanical glitches, track incidents and early retirements. Joy for some, disappointment for others... Here’s a summary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the Kessel Racing team, which ran in the LMGTE Am class.
Class: LMGTE Am
Car: #60 Ferrari 488 GTE
Drivers:
Kessel Racing was granted an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the back of its 2018 Michelin Le Mans Cup title. The car qualified in 55th position with a time of 3:53.528 clocked by Andrea Piccini during the third session. In the race, despite several gravel trap detours and off-track moments, the #60 Ferrari 488 GTE crossed the finish line in 46th place overall and 13th in LMGTE Am.
Car: #83 Ferrari 488 GTE
Drivers:
This car was entrusted to an all-female driver line-up supported by the FIA Women In Motorsports Commission, and qualified in 60th position with a time of 3:54.083 clocked by Michelle Gatting during the third session. In the race, despite briefly leaving the track a few times, the drivers had a steady and solid race. They finished in 39rd place overall and ninth in LMGTE Am, an impressive performance given that no all-female crew has made it to the chequered flag since 1977.
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2019, FREE PRACTICE. The #83 Ferrari 488 GTE of Swiss team Kessel Racing shared by Manuela Gostner, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting.
