Matisse Lismont and Ignacio Montenegro sensationally claimed an overall podium finish during the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup weekend at Magny-Cours. The Belgian-Argentinian duo drove the Team WRT #30 BMW M4 GT3 EVO to second place in Sunday's race. Meanwhile, the Pro entries featuring defending champions Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts endured a challenging weekend in France.
Lismont and Montenegro had already celebrated victory in the Silver Cup on Saturday evening, securing their third Sprint Cup class win of the season. On Sunday, the pair followed that up in spectacular fashion. Thanks to an excellent strategy following a red flag period, Montenegro and Lismont climbed to second overall, with Lismont confidently defending the position all the way to the finish. Team WRT also completed a one-two finish in the Silver Cup.
Championship leaders van der Linde and Weerts, however, experienced two difficult days. In Saturday's qualifying session, the Team WRT duo could do no better than 17th on the grid. Nevertheless, the defending champions drove an impressive recovery drive in the evening race, finishing seventh and collecting valuable championship points.
On Sunday, van der Linde set the fastest qualifying time but was later stripped of pole position due to a technical regulations infringement. Starting from 42nd on the grid, the South African gained numerous positions in the opening phase before being forced to retire following contact with another competitor. Despite the setback, van der Linde and Weerts retained their lead in the Sprint Cup standings.
Their Team WRT teammates Max Hesse and Valentino Rossi finished sixth and ninth in the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Jordan Pepper and Amaury Cordeel crossed the line in 20th and 11th places.
There was greater cause for celebration for Augusto Farfus and Darren Leung. In the Bronze Cup, Paradine Competition claimed victory in Sunday's race with the #991 BMW M4 GT3 EVO after narrowly missing out on the class podium with fourth place in Race 1. In the Gold Cup, KPX Motorsport finished sixth and seventh.
Driver statements.
Kelvin van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, Race 1: 7th, Race 2: DNF): "It was a difficult weekend for us. We didn't get everything out of our package that was possible. The disqualification from qualifying after taking pole on Sunday obviously hit us hard. But our main championship rivals also had a difficult Sunday. We still lead the Sprint Cup standings and have every chance of defending the title."
Max Hesse (#46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, Race 1: 6th, Race 2: 9th): "It wasn't an easy weekend. It had its ups and downs. Our qualifying on Saturday was very strong, but unfortunately we couldn't quite maintain that pace in the race. Sixth place in the end was okay, but it's not where we want to be. Sunday's qualifying was extremely difficult with 22nd on the grid. We managed to make up some positions in the race, but starting that far back meant the fight for the top positions was no longer realistic."
Ignacio Montenegro (#30 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, Race 1: Silver Cup Victory, Race 2: Silver Cup Victory and 2nd overall): "This is simply amazing - having a race weekend like this in my first year racing a GT3 car. Matisse and I felt very comfortable at Magny-Cours, both in qualifying and in the races. On top of that, Team WRT executed a superb strategy and a perfect pit stop. The results are incredible."
Matisse Lismont (#30 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT, Race 1: Silver Cup Victory, Race 2: Silver Cup Victory and 2nd overall): "I'm incredibly happy. That was the best stint of my career so far. Second place overall on Sunday and two Silver Cup victories - I don't have the words. It was simply an unbelievable weekend. A huge thank you to Team WRT for giving me this incredible opportunity."
Augusto Farfus (#991 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paradine Competition, Race 1: 4th in Bronze Cup, Race 2: Bronze Cup Victory): "The class win is great. We knew we had good pace in the car. The team did a phenomenal job. On Sunday we found the perfect balance, which allowed us to fight our way to first place. That's fantastic!"