Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium was the stage for the fourth round of the ELMS for Team Virage. After a refreshing summer break, the team returned to the track on Wednesday, eager to get back into racing form.
The #8 car had a promising start in the collective test day, finishing P5 in the afternoon session, while the #19 car, with its newly formed driver line-up, ended the day in P8 across both sessions. With Matt Bell and Nelson Piquet Jr. unable to compete due to a calendar clash, the team welcomed experienced drivers Tristan Vautier and Wayne Boyd to the roster. Vautier brought with him the knowledge from his recent Hypercar and IndyCar campaigns, while Boyd, a seasoned LMP3 driver, added his expertise to the team.
The week-end officially kicked off on Friday with FP1 and the bronze test. FP1 was riddled by several red flags, limiting valuable track time. Nevertheless, the #8 car showed its potential by finishing in P3, and the #19 car ended the session in P6. During the bronze test, drivers Tony Wells and Julien Gerbi focused on getting more comfortable with the technicalities of the circuit. Both delivered strong performances, concluding the test P5 in their respective categories.
Saturday was a day filled with high stakes as the final practice session and qualifying ahead of Sunday’s race. The #8 car topped the timesheets during practice. However, the #19 car faced challenges, being taken out early in the session. The team’s dedication showed to repair the car and get it back on track. Qualifying was intense, with Gillian Henrion securing P4 for the #8 car in the LMP3 category, just two-tenths off pole position. In LMP2, Tony Wells pushed hard to position the #19 car well for the race, ultimately securing P6.
Race day brought with it a series of challenges for Virage. Starting from P4, the #8 car was in a strong position to fight for the win. Gerbi started the race with determination, swiftly moving through the field before handing the car over to Bernardo Pinheiro, who maintained the momentum. Unfortunately, a pitlane incident during the final hour proved costly, dropping the car to P6. The #19 car, starting from P6, also faced a difficult race. Tony Wells showed competitive pace early on, and both Boyd and Vautier put in solid drives. However, the team was hindered by unfortunate safety car timing, resulting in a P7 finish.
The team will now focus on refining their strategies and performance as they prepare for the next round of the season at Mugello, which will take place from September 27th to 29th.
