In LMP2, JOTA scored a memorable 1-2 finish, seeing off the challenge from United Autosport, Racing Team Nederland and Team WRT to take the victory. The No. 38 took the win after a late dive-bomb by Antonio Felix da Costa on teammate Tom Blomqvist, who with his teammates staged a big recovery drive after Blomqvist who started on pole, was hit into a spin by the No. 38 on Lap 1 and fell to the very back of the field.
He did it! @afelixdacosta leads at home!#WEC #8HPortimao @JotaSport pic.twitter.com/Iza32OfnYg
— WEC (@FIAWEC) June 13, 2021
“It’s a team effort — we had a lot of set backs but we went longer than everyone, saved fuel and trusted the process,” local hero Felix Da Costa explained, after his first career win on home soil. “The team ensured we were up there at the end. I had contact with Tom on Lap 1, I felt sorry for it, I was boxed in. So I’m glad we had a clean fight at the end. Respect to him.”
United took third with its No. 22 ORECA, ahead of Team WRT which came home fourth, just off the podium, after the team’s race was disrupted by penalties for speeding in pit lane and ignoring blue flags.
Perhaps the team that will leave here most disappointed is Racing Team Nederland, which looked strong early with Giedo van der Garde at the wheel and in with a chance at a podium, but would finish a lowly 13th after Job van Uitert made a mistake in traffic, damaging the car’s suspension and driveshaft after clattering a curb.
In LMP2 Pro Am, RealTeam Racing inherited the win late after the aforementioned High Class Racing ORECA lost power while leading the sub-category. It was a welcome reward for the Swiss outfit after a day filled with drama and contact with other runners.
Easier on tires than its rivals, the AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO of Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado surged to victory in GTE Pro. Motorsport Images
In GTE Pro it was, unsurprisingly, also a story about tire degradation. AF Corse’s Ferrari 488 GTEs were simply better over the course of a stint in the Portuguese heat than their rivals in the Porsche garage. The two factory Porsches were shredding their rear tires throughout, and as a result were nowhere on pace.
The No. 51 led home the No. 71 Ferrari, with the two Porsches, the No. 92 leading the No. 91, crossing the line 45 seconds and a whole lap down respectively.
“We lacked pace in Spa and finished second. The Porsche was quickest here over a lap but this was the best possible outcome. We scored good points,” GTE Pro winning driver James Calado concluded.
GTE Am, meanwhile, was a tussle throughout, with so many teams and drivers taking the top places during the race. It was the most entertaining category hands down, with so many memorable battles and surprises right until the end.
Consistency was key for Cetilar Racing and its Ferrari 488 GTE EVO driven by Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto and Antonio Fuoco, who took their first GTE Am victory. Motorsport Images
Cetilar Racing emerged victorious for the first time in the FIA WEC after eight hours of hard racing. Longtime Cetilar driving partners Roberto Lacorte and Giorgio Sernagiotto, along with Antonio Fuoco were deserving winners here, running consistently in the top three throughout.
“It’s very special, a long time working for a big result, after four years working. This is our big day, I’m so happy for the drivers and the team. Today is the day,” an emotional Lacorte said.
The Italian team, which now leads the Am title race, finished just five seconds ahead of the No. 56 Team Project 1 Porsche. The 911 looked odds on for the win throughout but had 20 seconds added to its final stop for hitting the Realteam ORECA and therefore had to settled for second.
The No. 54 AF Corse Ferrari completed the podium after it too had a strong race all round. Just off the rostrum was the No. 98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage and the Kessel Racing Ferrari that completed the top five.
UP NEXT: The 6 Hours of Monza on July 18th, which is the final dress rehearsal for the delayed 2021 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours in August.
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