Team Virage made an impressive return to the track, after the summer break, at the Ultimate Cup Series race in Mugello. The team had to navigate challenging weather conditions and delivered strong performances across the board, despite fluctuating track conditions and fierce competition throughout the week-end.
In a special one-off entry, the #42 car featured three new drivers: Ligier European Series driver Paris Stavrakidis, ex-F.3000 and Indylights driver Bertrand Godin, and Le Mans Cup driver Marius Fossard. The trio took on the challenge with impressive results, quickly adapting to the car and the tricky Mugello circuit.
The week-end started with tricky wet sessions on Thursday, as the seasoned drivers in cars #1 and #88 and new recruits in car #42 familiarized themselves with the track. In the three test sessions, car #1, with Georgios Kolovos, Axel Gnos, Sacha Lehmann, achieved the best placement for the team with a P10 finish in the second session, while cars #88 and #42 secured P13 and P15, respectively, in other sessions of the day.
Friday saw a calmer day with just one practice session. Car #88, driven by Jacek Zielonka, Dani Macia, and Raphael Narac, set the team’s fastest time, finishing FP1 in a solid position. Cars #1 and #42 placed P22 and P28, respectively, as they continued refining their setups.
Saturday’s focus was on final adjustments before Sunday’s qualifying and race. The #42 car, stood out with a competitive P6 finish, followed by car #88 in P11 and car #1 in P20. All three driver lineups showed great promise, building excitement for the race ahead.
Sunday brought chaos to Mugello, with torrential rain and multiple red flags disrupting the 4-hour race. Despite the challenging conditions, Team Virage excelled. Car #88, with a strong combined effort from all three drivers, secured P5 in qualifying and powered through the rain-soaked race to finish P2 in the LMP3 class. Car #1 delivered an outstanding performance, climbing from P7 to finish P3. Meanwhile, car #42, despite starting P32, showcased tremendous pace in the wet, allowing Stavrakidis, Godin, and Fossard to fight their way to an impressive P6 finish.
With the #1 and #88 cars leading the championship standings, Team Virage continues to be a dominant force in the series. The team now looks forward to the next challenge at Magny-Cours, with focus to maintain the momentum in the remaining two rounds of the season.
