Ross Gunn emerged as the winner in the GTD Pro category after an exciting and rainy Six Hours of Glen in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Alongside teammate Alex Riberas, the duo fought their way to the top in a race that was heavily affected by rain in the second half. Despite the challenging conditions, the GTD classes remained competitive throughout the event. The battle for first position came down to a fierce competition to the finish line between Gunn and Tommy Milner, driver of the #4 Corvette, resulting in one triumphant competitor and one defeated.
The race started smoothly in the GTD and GTD Pro classes, with few position changes among the competitors. Parker Thompson, starting in pole position in the #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F, maintained a calm and composed race despite being surrounded by fierce GTD Pro competition. However, Dirk Mueller in the #65 Ford Multimatic Mustang encountered a setback when his left rear brake unit caught fire, leading to an extended pit stop. Despite the setback, the team managed to return to the race.
The second caution period was triggered by an incident involving George Kurtz in the #04 Crowdstrike Racing by APR Oreca 07 and Roberto Lacorte in the #47 Cetilar Racing Ferrari 296. Lacorte’s collision with the barrier and subsequent passage through the gravel area required repairs. However, no further action was taken as Lacorte’s defense in the braking zone was deemed acceptable.
After the caution period, Jack Hawksworth in the #14 GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan Lexus took the lead after a pit stop that included a tire change. Meanwhile, the #64 Mustang, driven by Mike Rockenfeller, maintained a positive position in fifth place in the GTD Pro class. The #3 Corvette faced a brake-related issue, leading to a pit stop for front brake replacement. With Ross Gunn in the #23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage defending against Rockenfeller for third place, the two Lexus cars occupied the top two positions in the GT class.
The threat of rain loomed as a third caution period was triggered due to an incident involving Barbosa. The restart saw Spencer Pumpelly in the #44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin Vantage spin at Turn 9 after slight contact with Simon Mann’s AF Corse Ferrari #21. This incident had consequences for Aaron Telitz, the GTD class leader, as he had to make evasive maneuvers and dropped to fifth place. Telitz’s day was further complicated by a drive-through penalty for not maintaining pace during the restart.
A fourth caution period occurred when Levorato in the #55 Proton Competition Ford Mustang collided with the left-side barrier at the final turn, causing significant damage to the front. Zacharie Robichon also lost control in the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin but managed to return to the pits. The race was subsequently interrupted by a fifth caution period when Sarah Bovy in the #83 Iron Dames Lamborghini spun at the exit of Turn 10, resulting in a major collision with the barrier. Bovy’s mistake forced her to retire from the race.
With the race resuming under green flag conditions, the battle for the lead in GTD Pro intensified. Madison Snow in the Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 #1 successfully defended against Garcia’s Corvette #3 and Tincknell’s Mustang #64. However, the reigning GTD champion made a small mistake, allowing Garcia to seize the opportunity and take the lead. Tincknell closely followed, eventually overtaking Garcia for first position. The race was further complicated by heavy rain, causing several cars to go off track and hydroplane into the barriers.
One of the main competitors in the GTD class, the Forte Racing Lamborghini #78, collided with the barriers at Turn 8, resulting in significant damage to the front. Despite the challenging conditions, the race continued for a few more laps. However, due to the amount of standing water on the track, the red flag was called with just over an hour remaining. The drivers had to carefully drive their cars back to the pits on slick tires.
After the track was prepared for the race, the race resumed under yellow flag with 42 minutes remaining. While the prototypes made pit stops, the GT cars took the opportunity to refuel and prepare for the final stretch. Unfortunately, Davide Rigon in the #62 Risi Competizione suffered damage to a tow link and was forced to retire from the race. With 16 minutes remaining on the clock, the battle for the lead in GTD Pro intensified between Tommy Milner in the #4 Corvette and Ross Gunn in the #23 Aston Martin. The two drivers fought intensely, racing side by side. However, Milner was forced to make a pit stop to refuel two laps before the end, ending his chances of victory. Ross Gunn crossed the finish line in first place, securing the win for the #23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin, alongside teammate Alex Riberas. Marvin Kirchhofer and Olly Jarvis achieved their first podium for Pfaff Motorsports with the McLaren cars. Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims finished third in the #3 Corvette, followed by Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat in the #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus. Harry Tincknell completed the top five in the GTD Pro class with the Multimatic Ford Mustang #64. In the GTD class, Philip Ellis, Russell Ward, and Indy Dontje emerged victorious in the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG, followed by the Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3.R #120 team composed of Adam Adelson, Elliott Skeer, and Jan Haylen in second place. The last position on the GTD podium was claimed by the Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 #34 team, formed by Manny Franco, Albert Costa Balboa, and Cedric Sbirrazzuoli.
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The Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen achieved an exciting victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, surpassed Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to secure the first position on the famous street circuit. Verstappen’s victory puts him in the lead of the world championship of drivers, ahead of Hamilton.
The race in Monaco was marked by a lot of action and drama. Verstappen started in the first position, but Hamilton pressured him throughout the entire race. The two drivers engaged in a fierce duel, with overtakes and tactical strategies. In the end, Verstappen managed to stay ahead and crossed the finish line in first place, to the delight of his team and the fans.
With this victory, Verstappen becomes the youngest driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix. He is only 26 years old and is already making his mark in Formula 1 history. Furthermore, the victory puts him in a favorable position in the world championship, showing that he is determined to fight for the title.
Hamilton, on the other hand, was not satisfied with second place. The British driver, a seven-time world champion, was determined to win in Monaco but couldn’t surpass Verstappen. However, he is still confident in his abilities and promises to continue fighting for the championship.
The next Formula 1 race will be the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will take place in two weeks. Verstappen and Hamilton will certainly keep an eye on this race, in search of more points and victories. The battle for the world championship is just beginning, and Formula 1 fans can expect more excitement and twists throughout the season.
