FOURTH PODIUM OF ELMS SEASON FOR CHAMPIONS ROBERTSON & HOY DURING RAIN-HIT FINALE AT ESTORIL
Four podiums from five races for Ginetta-Nissan pair including three wins European Le Mans Series LMP3 Champions Charlie Robertson and Sir Chris Hoy sealed a remarkable year with their fourth podium of the campaign during a rain-hit fifth and final round of the season at Estoril in Portugal on Sunday, 18th October.
Qualifying on LMP3 pole position some 1.3 seconds clear, 18-year-old Charlie comfortably led over the course of the first 90 minutes of the four-hour contest but the Whyteleafe driver and team-mate Hoy had to settle for third place in the end when the unpredictable weather worked against them.
Having wrapped-up the inaugural LMP3 championship title during the previous event at Paul Ricard in France last month, the addition of their fourth podium result of the campaign means the Scottish dream team ends the season a huge 35 points clear at the top of the standings.
Not only that, Charlie was named ‘Rookie of the Year’ by European Le Mans Series organising body ACO and received the trophy – along with his LMP3 Champions Trophy – during a prestigious ceremony on Sunday evening at the Centro de Congressos in Estoril.
“To end such a fantastic year on the podium, and then being named Rookie of the Year too, is amazing”, commented BRDC SuperStar Charlie, “The changeable weather in the race caught us out unfortunately, otherwise we had the capability to win again, but sometimes things don’t quite go in your favour. You can’t have everything go your way and this year has been nigh-on perfect for us.”
Hour one of the race went faultlessly for the pole position qualifier as he opened up a significant advantage at the wheel of the No.3 Team LNT Ginetta-Nissan prototype. By only the eighth lap, he already had a class lead of around 20 seconds and Charlie soon went on to post the fastest LMP3 lap of the race – a time of 1m39.120 seconds.
Making his first pit visit after 58 minutes of racing, Charlie remained behind the wheel for the second stint and when the order settled down the Investigo and Curo-backed driver continued to increase his advantage to around 30 seconds with 75 minutes of racing complete.
Shortly after, the first heavy rain shower to affect the race arrived and as the clock reached the 90-minute mark Charlie pitted to take wet-weather Michelin tyres. No sooner had he ventured back out onto track, though, the rain ceased and within a couple of laps slick tyres were the ones to have.
Needing to make the best of the situation until the second round of stops, Charlie did a good job to remain in contention and although edged back to second place initially he did return to the LMP3 lead when the sister Team LNT car pitted prior to the halfway point of the race.
Handing the No.3 car over to Hoy from the lead with one hour and 50 minutes to run, the Olympian joined the race in third position and as the track dried more and more Hoy then pitted to switch to dry tyres with around 90 minutes remaining. Although climbing into second in LMP3 he was edged back to third after the final round of stops, with 35 minutes to run, where he stayed to the flag.
“The first part of the race was really good, the pace was strong and everything went to plan but then we had a massive shower so I went to wets – I didn’t want to risk anything by staying out”, reflected Charlie, “It stopped raining almost immediately, though, and within a couple of laps slicks were the tyres to have. I had to go to the end of my stint on the wets, so did the best I could.
“The weather was really changeable and the circumstances just didn’t work out for us this weekend. Chris did a good job, though, to bring the car home on the podium to cap off a really fantastic season and I must say a huge thank you to Team LNT, Ginetta, Nissan and, of course, my sponsors Investigo and Curo.”
Final 2015 European Le Mans Series LMP3 Standings:CHAMPIONS: Charlie Robertson/Sir Chris Hoy, 94pts
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