Lexus achieves first World Endurance Championship race win
Lexus achieved a breakthrough when an RC F LM GT3 race car overcame its class rivals to claim its first victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the 6 Hours of São Paulo yesterday (13 July).
Lexus is establishing its performance credentials by challenging more established racing brands and pushing boundaries, while providing opportunities for different drivers – including young hopefuls and ambitious gentlemen drivers – to participate at the highest level of sportscar competition.
The AKKODIS ASP Team cars started the race at the Interlagos circuit in second and third place in their class and from the start showed impressive performance against intense competition. The No87 RC F LM GT3, driven by Petru Umbrarescu (Romania), Clemens Schmid (Austria) and José María López (Argentina) – a former Le Mans 24 Hours winner with Toyota Gazoo Racing – completed 216 laps to win its class by 37.716 seconds. In the No78 RC F LMGT3, Arnold Robin (France), Finn Gehrsitz (Germany) and Yuichi Nakayama (Japan) challenged for victory throughout, ultimately finishing fifth in class.
After their first WEC victory, AKKODIS ASP Team are fourth in the championship with three races remaining. The next round takes place in the United States, at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, on 7 September.
ENDS
