Free practice confirms the strength of the Lexus RC F LMGT3
Akkodis ASP Team found its rhythm in the first free practice to get into the swing of its Belgian weekend. The #87 Lexus RC F LMGT3 of Petru Umbrărescu, Clemens Schmid and José María López was quickly among the frontrunners, finishing on top spot thanks to a lap of 2:18.565 set by ‘Pechito’. The #78 driven by Tom Van Rompuy, Hadrien David and Esteban Masson also got off to a good start, in seventh.
This momentum continued in the second session, when both Lexus cars finished in the top six. The #78 was fifth with Hadrien David, whilst the #87 was sixth with Clemens Schmid.
During the third and final free practice, the #78 again showed solid pace and set the fourth-fastest time, while the #87 was seventh. These performances were a good sign ahead of qualifying.
Two Lexus in Hyperpole
Petru Umbrărescu mastered the qualifying session perfectly, setting the fastest time of 2:17.225 to secure a place in Hyperpole. In the #78, Tom Van Rompuy also rose to the challenge following an intense battle and progressed to Hyperpole with the tenth fastest time.
Hadrien David (#78) on pole, Clemens Schmid (#87) on the second row
Hyperpole gave the Akkodis ASP Team a highlight of its weekend. At the wheel of the #78, Hadrien David clocked an exceptional lap of 2:16.612 to secure pole position for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. A superb performance from the young French driver confirmed the competitiveness of the #78 crew and reflected the hard work from the whole team.
In the #87, Clemens Schmid also put in an impressive performance, securing fourth on the grid with a time of 2:16.968. Akkodis ASP Team therefore secured pole position and a second-row start.
A lively start at the front
In front of 101,606 spectators in glorious sunshine on the Ardennes circuit, the Akkodis ASP Team went into the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in an ideal position, with the #78 on pole in the LMGT3 class and the #87 on the second row. The first lap was particularly hard-fought, but Tom Van Rompuy held the lead (#78), whilst Petru Umbrărescu (#87), in sixth after starting from fourth.
Tom quickly set about pulling away from his pursuers. After several laps, the #77 Ford briefly took the lead before running off the track on the seventh lap, bringing out the safety car. The #78 then reclaimed the class lead, whilst the #87 was firmly in the chasing pack.
At the restart, Tom held onto the lead and remained out front at the end of the first hour. At this stage, Akkodis ASP Team had both its Lexus cars in the top four, with the #87 in fourth.
The first pit stop sequence reshuffled the pack. Tom Van Rompuy continued behind the wheel on a double stint, as did Petru Umbrărescu. After stops by the LMGT3 field, positions continued to shift in a particularly tight pack. But the #78 was handed a drive-through for track limits, and Hadrien David, who took the wheel shortly after the decision, had to serve the penalty.
Despite this brief visit through pit lane, the #78’s pace remained very strong. Hadrien went back on the attack and began a fine charge up the field, moving into the top ten. Meanwhile, Petru Umbrărescu handed the #87 over to Clemens Schmid. At the end of the second hour, the #78 was in P6, whilst the #87 was in 12th.
The Silver drivers’ increasing pace intensified the battle throughout the field. Hadrien moved closer to the podium before finding himself in an intense fight with the #10. Every overtaking manoeuvre was decided by a matter of inches, the traffic was heavy, and managing the track limits proved crucial.
During the second half of the race, both cars were very much involved in the battle at the front. The #78 Lexus, driven first by Hadrien David and then Esteban Masson, returned to the class podium positions. Meanwhile, the #87 continued its climb through the top 10 with Clemens Schmid and then José María López at the wheel. By the fourth hour, the #78 was in third, under intense pressure from the cars behind, whilst the #87 was ninth.
Following a safety car period and a restart with less than two hours to go, Esteban Masson fiercely defended his podium position, despite constant pressure from the #27 and #92. Meanwhile, José María López drove with great determination during his stint to bring the #87 into the points, then up to sixth.
But the race took a dramatic turn just over an hour before the chequered flag when the #78 car slowed before coming to a standstill at the side of the track, having suffered a technical problem. This retirement sadly brought an end to a strong performance by Tom Van Rompuy, Hadrien David and Esteban Masson, who had led and were then in contention for a podium throughout their race.
José María López (#87) kept up the pressure in the final hour, despite the race being disrupted by several incidents and safety car periods, to cross the line in sixth. This earned the crew of Petru Umbrărescu, Clemens Schmid and José María López their first points of the season.
The highlight of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking place from 10 to 14 June, marks the next round of the FIA World Endurance Championship for Akkodis ASP Team.