A Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 from Manthey PureRacing, number 92, secured the first victory in the LMGT3 class at the Qatar 1812 km, the first round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. For the first time this year, 18 cars from the new LMGT3 category competed for victory in a new location for the WEC, the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Team number 92, composed of Alex Malykhin, Joel Sturm, and Klaus Bachler, emerged as the winners after nearly 10 hours of racing. It was a fierce battle, with plenty of action, competition, and excitement in the class, with nine manufacturers vying for the top spot. However, achieving a Porsche victory to match their success in the Hypercar category required a combination of patience, strong performance, and effective tire management over such a long race.
After qualifying on pole position, Tom van Rompuy maintained the lead in the TF Sport Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, number 81, during a hectic start, ahead of the Manthey PureRacing Porsche 911, number 92, driven by Alex Malykhin, and the D’station Aston Martin Vantage AMR, number 777, driven by Clement Mateu, who moved up one position from fourth. The intense competition in the LMGT3 class allowed the cars to stay close together during the first hour, resulting in thrilling battles for the lead. Malykhin took the lead when the Hypercars were overtaking the LMGT3s, causing Van Rompuy to fall into the clutches of number 92 and number 777. In the following hours, the number 92 car built a solid lead, but the fight for first position intensified again in the final hours.
An exciting midfield battle unfolded, with Iron Dames bronze driver Sarah Bovy defending sixth place against the number 81 car, driven by last year’s LMP2 champion Rui Andrade, followed by the Akoddis ASP Lexus RC F, number 87, driven by Esteban Masson, in eighth position. Michelle Gatting drove the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, number 85, and was overtaken by Simon Mann in the AF Corse, number 55, followed by driver Sean Gelael, number 31, from the WRT team. Unfortunately, the hopes of victory for the number 81 car, which started on pole position, diminished as it struggled to keep up with the consistent pace of the Manthey team and suffered a brief slide in turn 1. Eventually, the car stopped at the pit entry due to a gearbox problem, although it did not obstruct other competitors. After retiring in the garage, it was forced to end its race prematurely, becoming the second retirement of the event.
Another notable moment was the debut of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in the WRT team’s BMW M4, number 46, which had a solid performance during his two stints in the car. Alongside the efforts of his teammates Maxime Martin and Ahmed Al Harthy, Rossi demonstrated smooth and consistent pace to keep the number 46 car in contention for a top-five finish and valuable points throughout the nearly 10-hour race. Specifically, Rossi executed a successful overtaking maneuver on driver Yasser Shahin from Porsche EMA, number 91, moving up to fourth position after starting in eighth.
Daniel Mancinelli from AMR Heart of Racing closed in on Malykhin with a double stint on his tires and took the lead from the Manthey driver, who had dominated the race with a 20-second advantage over second place. In the sixth hour, the number 27 car was still in contention for victory, now challenging the AF Corse Ferrari, number 54, driven by Thomas Flohr. In the end, Heart of Racing’s Alex Riberas made a late but well-executed move in the final corner before the start/finish straight to regain the lead, while the number 27 car stopped for Mancinelli to take over the wheel.
The battle for fourth place provided thrilling entertainment, with BMW WRT driver Sean Gelael defending his position against Aston Martin driver Erwan Bastard, number 777. After a fierce battle, Bastard made a calculated move, braking late in the final corner and executing a strong exit to gain momentum on the start/finish straight and overtake Gelael. Meanwhile, the number 78 car, driven by Kelvin van der Linde, became the third retirement from the race due to an engine problem.
While the battle for victory may not have been as intense as in the Hypercar category, it showcased the tense and exciting racing that the new LMGT3 class can offer throughout the rest of the season. Alex Malykhin, Joel Sturm, and Klaus Bachler emerged as the winners in the number 92 car, followed by the number 27 team composed of Ian James, Daniel Mancinelli, and Alex Riberas in second place, and the number 777 team composed of Clement Mateu, Erwan Bastard, and Marco Sorensen in third place. Ahmad Al Harthy, Valentino Rossi, and Maxime Martin from the WRT team’s number 46 car finished in fourth place, with Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci, and Davide Rigon finishing in fifth position.
© 2024
The sports world is in shock with the latest news about famous football player Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward, known for his incredible skills on the field, is facing serious allegations of inappropriate behavior. It is alleged that Ronaldo was involved in a sexual assault incident at a hotel in Las Vegas.
According to reports, a woman named Kathryn Mayorga filed a complaint against the player, claiming that he sexually assaulted her in 2009. She alleges that the incident took place in a hotel room, where Ronaldo allegedly forced sexual intercourse without her consent. Mayorga claims that she was threatened and intimidated to keep silent about the incident.
The allegations against Ronaldo have resurfaced following the publication of a detailed article in Der Spiegel magazine. The article includes interviews with Mayorga and legal documents supporting her claims. Since then, the news has spread rapidly, causing a major impact on Cristiano Ronaldo’s career and reputation.
As a result of the allegations, several brands and sponsors of Ronaldo are reconsidering their contracts with the player. Companies like Nike and EA Sports have expressed concern and are closely monitoring the developments of the case. Ronaldo’s future in professional football is now at stake, with many wondering if he will be able to overcome these allegations and continue his successful career.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s fans and followers are divided. Some remain loyal to the player, believing in his innocence and supporting him unconditionally. Others, however, are shocked and disappointed by the allegations, demanding a thorough investigation and justice for Mayorga.
As the case continues to unfold, it is important to remember that all parties involved have the right to be heard and to a fair trial. The truth about the incident still needs to be determined, and it is essential that justice is served, regardless of the outcome.
The sports world is now awaiting further information and developments on the case. In the meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo’s reputation remains tarnished, and uncertainty hangs over his future in football. The only certainty is that this is a difficult time for all people involved, and the truth must prevail.
