IN FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE IN NAVARRA, SPAIN
McLaren GT customer team Hexis Racing claimed first victories for the MP4-12C GT3 this weekend with back-to-back wins at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain. A dominant performance by reigning FIA GT1 World champions Hexis in qualifying and the championship race places the French team in second position in the series after three rounds.
The weekend’s qualifying session saw a strong start from the #1 12C GT3, driven by Fred Makowiecki (FRA) and Stef Dusseldorp (NLD). The duo dominated the race throughout and crossed the line more than 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. This result secured an all-McLaren 12C GT3 front row lock out, and another impressive performance from both driver pairings again saw Makowiecki and Dusseldorp lead from lights to flag, while the #2 12C GT3 driven by McLaren GT driver Alvaro Parente (PRT) and Grégoire Demoustier (FRA) battled hard and claimed fourth place. All the action from the FIA GT1 World race in Spain may be watched again at: http://youtu.be/cz2sGeJLZ34
McLaren GT Project Director Andrew Kirkaldy said: ”I am delighted for Hexis Racing and its drivers following their spectacular team performance in Spain. I am equally pleased for the team at McLaren GT who have been dedicated to supporting all of our clients in the debut competitive season of the new 12C GT3. This is a fantastic result for all involved, and it is great to see our combined efforts have helped one of our customer teams to the top step of the podium.
We have worked hard on the development of the 12C GT3 in the lead up to, and throughout the start of, the 2012 season, and it is important that we maintain our dedication to ensuring every one of our customer teams realises the potential of their new race cars. With the first victory for the 12C GT3 now secured, our engineers will focus their efforts on comprehensively supporting all of our customer teams and ensuring the 12C GT3 is equally rewarding for all of our clients.”
Fellow McLaren GT customer team Lapidus Racing also showed strong performance with the debut of the 12C GT3 in the International GT Open at the Nürburgring in Germany. The orange and white-liveried 12C GT3, driven by team owner Klaas Hummel and McLaren GT development driver Adam Christodoulou, showed consistent pace throughout the weekend’s two races, and the team claimed a double-fourth place finish.
McLaren GT official team kit now available to order through the McLaren Shop
New for the 2012 season is the launch of the new McLaren GT Collection – a stylish range of clothing and accessories finished in black with subtle grey and striking McLaren Orange detailing, as worn and used by the McLaren GT racing team. The range comprises durable and versatile leisurewear including polo shirts and waterproof jackets, as well as other accessories to appeal to all motorsport fans. Prices for the McLaren GT Collection start at £19.95, and the full range is available to order online through the official McLaren Shop – mclarenshop.com.
