Article 14: VasserSullivan secures victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring
Jack Hawksworth led the #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 to victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring, converting his pole position in the GTD Pro category into a win. The Lexus team overcame early drama to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Daytona. Hawksworth maintained his lead from pole position while chaos unfolded behind him. The Ferrari #62 from Risi Competizione spun amidst the pack, narrowly avoiding any collisions. However, the McLarens from Pfaff GTD Pro and Inception GTD were not as lucky, colliding while trying to avoid the spinning Ferrari.
The Lexus #14 faced challenges in the early hours of the race, including a penalty for an infraction during a pit stop. This setback pushed them back, but they fought their way back into contention by the halfway point. Despite being out of sync with the pit stop strategy of the Porsche #77, the Lexus regained the lead in the GTD Pro category. Yellow flags around the circuit played a significant role in the race, affecting the fortunes of several competitors.
Three caution periods occurred in the eighth and ninth hours of the race. The first was caused by a collision between Pipo Derani in the Cadillac #31 and the Ferrari GTD AF Corse #21, resulting in the retirement of both cars. Another yellow flag was triggered due to a loose tray on the Ford Mustang Proton #55. In the ninth hour, Katherine Legge in the Acura GTD Gradient Racing #66 hit the wall after contact with the Porsche #6.
The Porsche #77 suffered untimely pit stops during the yellow flags, allowing the BMW #1 and the Corvette #3 to challenge for the lead. However, the #77 managed to regain its position before the final hour. Another yellow flag occurred due to debris on the track, setting the stage for an exciting finish in the GTD Pro category. Hawksworth led the Lexus #14, with Daniel Serra in the Ferrari Risi #62 close behind.
With less than 50 minutes remaining, another yellow flag appeared when the Mustang #55 stopped on the track. The race restarted with a 40-minute sprint, and Serra took the lead in the category on the restart. However, another yellow flag interrupted the race due to debris on the circuit. When the race resumed with 23 minutes remaining, Hawksworth made aggressive moves to pass Juncadella and Serra, securing the first place. Heinrich in the Porsche #77 battled with Serra for the final podium position.
In the final minutes, Juncadella hit the wall after contact with Heinrich, eliminating the Corvette from the competition. Heinrich received a penalty, dropping the Porsche #77 to ninth place. Hawksworth ultimately clinched the victory, finishing 0.121 seconds ahead of Serra in the Ferrari #62. Mirko Bortolotti secured third place in the Lamborghini #19 Iron Lynx. The BMW #1 Paul Miller Racing and the Aston Martin #23 Heart of Racing completed the top five in the GTD Pro category.
GTD – Winward Racing achieves impressive comeback
After initially setting the fastest time in GTD qualifying, Winward Racing and Philip Ellis found themselves starting at the back of the grid due to a technical infraction.
However, this setback did not deter Ellis, Indy Dontje, and Russell Ward as they managed to turn their low grid position into a victory in the GTD class, following their impressive win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January.
A remarkable turnaround occurred two hours into the 12-hour race, and the Mercedes #57 remained competitive throughout the event.
Winward Racing climbed to third place after two hours of racing and spent much of the race leading the pack, battling against strong competitors like the Lexus #12 from Vasser Sullivan, the Ferrari 296 GT3 #47 from Cetilar Racing, and the Porsche 911 GT3 R #120 from Wright Motorsports.
Amidst several yellow flags and caution flags around the circuit, the last 23 minutes of the race turned into a fierce battle for victory between Ellis in the Mercedes #57, Antonio Fuoco in the Ferrari #47, and Elliott Skeer in the Porsche #120.
Unfortunately, the Lexus #12’s chances of victory were ruined in the final hour, when Parker Thompson was involved in a collision with the Corvette #4 from GTD Pro, driven by Earl Bamber.
However, Ellis kept his composure and led the Mercedes #57 to secure two consecutive wins at the start of the 2024 IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship, finishing 0.646s ahead of the Ferrari #47 from Ceitlar Racing, driven by Fuoco.
Wright Motorsports secured third place with the Porsche #120, while the Aston Martin #27 Heart of Racing finished fourth.
The top five in the GTD class was completed by the Lamborghini #78 Forte Racing.
© 2024
Portugal wins the 2024 Euro Cup
Portugal added another chapter to its football history by winning the 2024 Euro Cup. The Portuguese national team, led by coach Fernando Santos, showed impeccable performance throughout the tournament and lifted the trophy in an exciting final against Germany.
The campaign of Portugal in the Eurocup was marked by electrifying games and brilliant performances from its players. Cristiano Ronaldo, the team captain, was the standout, scoring decisive goals and leading the team masterfully. In addition to him, names like Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and João Félix also played a key role in the conquest.
The final against Germany was a true spectacle of football. Both teams showed a high technical level and staged an emotional duel from start to finish. The game ended in a tie in regular time, but Portugal secured the victory in extra time, with a goal from Bernardo Silva.
The conquest of the 2024 Eurocup represents another milestone in the history of Portuguese football. With a talented squad and a competent coach, the national team demonstrated its strength and ability to overcome challenges. The Portuguese fans, who have always been present and supported the team, celebrate this historic victory.
Now, Portugal is preparing for new challenges. The team is already aiming for the 2026 World Cup, where they will seek to repeat their success and win the world title. With a promising squad and the talent of its players, the Portuguese national team promises to continue shining on the field and enchanting football fans around the world.
