Action Express Racing (AXR) clinched victory at the Motul Petit Le Mans, marking its second consecutive win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The race took place recently, where Earl Bamber drove the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R to a solid 5.182-second victory over the No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie, driven by Roman De Angelis.
Race Highlights
The event was intense, especially in the final minutes, with energy management becoming critical. Bamber and Mathieu Jaminet, who was driving the No. 6 Penske Porsche 963, both made strategic pit stops 13 minutes before the end. This decision impacted their positions dramatically.
- Bamber led the last four hours of the event.
- Jaminet secured a third-place finish, which allowed him and co-driver Matt Campbell to clinch the GTP drivers’ championship.
- Porsche also claimed the GTP manufacturers’ title, winning by 42 points.
Notable Performances
Romain Grosjean, racing for Lamborghini, attempted to conserve energy but ultimately finished fourth, achieving the best-ever result for his Ligier-chassied car. The top five was rounded out by the No. 60 MSR Acura, piloted by Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, and Scott Dixon, despite facing mechanical issues.
| Position | Car | Driver(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R | Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti, Jack Aitken |
| 2 | No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Roman De Angelis, Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas |
| 3 | No. 6 Penske Porsche 963 | Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbell, Laurens Vanthoor |
| 4 | Lamborghini | Romain Grosjean, Edouardo Mortara, Daniil Kyvat |
| 5 | No. 60 MSR Acura | Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, Scott Dixon |
LMP2 Class Results
TDS Racing triumphantly captured the LMP2 class, navigating through multiple challenges. They secured their victory despite starting from the rear of the grid. The No. 99 AO Racing entry managed to clinch the LMP2 title, which guarantees them an invitation to the next 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The class victory was shared by Steven Thomas, Mikkel Jensen, and Hunter McElrea.
- Both teams faced setbacks, including penalties and mechanical issues.
Overall Impact
The Petit Le Mans showcased exceptional strategy and skilled driving. AXR’s victory emphasizes their dominance in the IMSA series, while Porsche’s and AO Racing’s wins underline their competitive prowess. With this outcome, the racing season concludes with thrilling performances and impressive accolades.
