Credit: Photo Copyright 2023 FIA WEC / FocusPackMedia – Tim Hearn
WRT’s Louis Deletraz, part of the driving squad for the #41 Oreca 07-Gibson, which won the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Fuji, was pleased about the victory as Team WRT extended their lead in the LMP2 championship standings.
After qualifying in second place with a 1:32.273 lap time, the two-time European Le Mans Series champion asserted strong pace after the LMP2 qualifying session was closely fourth against United Autosports.
The Swiss driver recognised expectations were surpassed regarding the #41’s title fight against the #34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07.
Along with Rui Andrade and 2021 ELMS title partner Robert Kubica, they climbed their way to a victory, after the Hypercar drama in front of them meant Andrade sought for P6.
After the #41’s first pit stop, they went into fourth position as Robert Kubica, along with the sister #31 WRT of Ferdinand Habsburg, battled with United Autosports who also asserted strong form with both of their LMP2 Orecas.
Deletraz said: “The team did a strong job in the pits, and we did a clean job on the track. I tried to save fuel, this worked and allowed us to take the lead in the pits.
“It’s not sealed for the championship, we still have to finish the job and we know since Le Mans 2021, it is never done until it’s done, but we are in a better position than expected ahead of the last race.”
“I am really happy, it was an amazing job by the team and we just missed a one-two,” said Andrade, as WRT claimed a 1-3 finish in LMP2.
“We extended our lead in the championship and are in a more comfortable situation.
“The car has been strong all year, so it’s looking good. Now it’s time to enjoy the moment, take some rest and focus on Bahrain.”
Kubica added: “It wasn’t an easy weekend with the changing conditions, but today we took the right decisions, we executed well, we managed to come back and to win.
“It is important to stay in front of our main rivals, and we are in a good position ahead of Bahrain.
“I am happy to continue the string of podium finishes in such a competitive field. This highlights the quality of the work and the approach.”
They now reside on 135 points in the LMP2 standings, with the #34 Inter Europol Competition taking only two points from their P9 finish, thus putting their championship total so far to 102 – just one point ahead of the #22 United Autosports crew.
At the 8 Hours of Bahrain season finale on 4 November, 38 points are awarded for the win. For comparison, ninth position is given just three points.
The Le Mans-winning Polish bakery outfit will hope for better fortune in Bahrain, as they have a 33 point gap to close down — that is if United Autosports do not take Inter Europol’s P2 championship spot by scoring higher than them.
Keyword: Deletraz: WRT in ‘better position than expected’ for WEC title pursuit in Bahrain