Manthey Porsche Secures Thrilling Victory Over WRT BMW in LMGT3 Showdown at Imola
In a heart-pounding showdown at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Imola, Richard Lietz of Manthey Porsche emerged victorious in the LMGT3 class, narrowly beating out WRT’s Kelvin van der Linde in a neck-and-neck battle to the finish line.
The race kicked off with WRT’s #46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo on pole position until Valentino Rossi’s run-in with Simon Mann’s AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 shook up the leaderboard. As the race progressed, the gap between the #46 BMW and the #92 Porsche 911 LMGT3.R continued to shrink, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. In a nail-biting finish, Lietz clinched the win by a mere 0.316 seconds, showcasing exceptional skill and strategic defensive maneuvers.
Manthey’s victory, with Lietz joined by teammates Ryan Hardwick and Riccardo Pera, marked a sensational triumph over the WRT BMW and its drivers Rossi and Ahmad Al Harthy. Akkodis ASP also delivered a stellar performance, securing third and fourth place with their #78 and #87 Lexus RC F LMGT3s. Esteban Masson, substituting for an injured Ben Barnicoat, sealed the final podium spot alongside Arnold Robin and Finn Gerhistz.
The race was not without its share of drama, with six cars penalized for race start procedures and intense battles unfolding throughout the field. From Ahmad Al Harthy’s early lead to the contentious maneuvering between James Cottingham and Bernardo Sousa, every moment was filled with adrenaline and anticipation.
As the competition heated up, WRT’s #31 BMW found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, receiving penalties and facing setbacks that ultimately reshuffled the rankings. Meanwhile, Akkodis ASP made a strategic play for the lead, capitalizing on the misfortunes of their competitors to surge ahead in a stunning display of racing prowess.
Despite the challenges and clashes that punctuated the race, Manthey Porsche’s unwavering determination and tactical brilliance ultimately led them to triumph. The team’s strategic decision-making and flawless execution solidified their position as the ones to beat in the LMGT3 class, leaving their rivals in the dust.
With adrenaline-pumping action, unexpected twists, and edge-of-your-seat drama, the 6 Hours of Imola delivered a spectacle for motorsport fans worldwide. As the dust settled and the cheers subsided, one thing remained clear – in the world of endurance racing, victory favors the bold, and Manthey Porsche had proven themselves to be the boldest of them all.