GT World Challenge Asia - Chang 🇹🇭debrief
Climax racing car number 22 (Pro-Am)
Lineup:
-Ralf Aron (Sepang, Chang, Okoyama & Shanghai)
-Jules Gounon (Fuji & Suzuka)
-Wang Zhongwei
Race 1
Wang ➡️ Ralf
Qualifying:
Overall - 20th
In class - 11th
Results:
Overall - 13th
In class - 4th (12 points)
Race 2
Ralf ➡️ Wang
Qualifying:
Overall - 2nd
In class - 2nd
Results:
Overall - 23rd
In class - 10th (1 point)
Standings:
GT3 Teams Championship - 9th
GT3 Drivers Championship (Overall):
Ralf Aron - 10th
Wang Zhongwei - 10th
GT3 Drivers Championship (Pro-Am):
Ralf Aron - 7th
Wang Zhongwei - 7th
A good clean race from both Wang and Ralf to secure a points finish in class in Race 1. Wang handed the car over to Ralf when it was P9 in class and Ralf managed to end the race P4 in class.
In race 2 it was a good start from Ralf who managed to keep and hold onto P2 at the start of the race and was gaining on the leading car till something happened that dropped him down to p5 a few laps before he handed the car to Wang. Wang was doing well running in p6 for a while till he was given a stop and go 1 second penalty for completing their pit stop in under the designated 90 seconds. Wang did well to recover from that and the finished p10 in class
📸 Climax Racing | Mercedes-AMG Motorsport | Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia
Miami 🇺🇸debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️
Lando (4th in the standings) :
Sprint Qualifying: 9th
Sprint Race: DNF (contact at start could do nothing )
Positions: -11
Qualifying: 5th
Grand Prix: 1st (25 points)
Positions: +4
Oscar (6th in the standings):
Sprint Qualifying: 6th
Sprint Race: 7th (2 points)
Positions: +1
Qualifying: 6th
Grand Prix: 12th
Positions: -6
Mclaren started off the badly with lando being knocked out of the sprint race during a turn 1 incident at the start of the race. Good job from Oscar to secure points.
An incredible drive from lando during the Grand Prix and a good strategy call from McLaren to secure his first win. Unfortunately for Oscar Carlos ruined his race by causing a collision with him. But Oscar did get the fastest lap.
Lewis (9th in the standings):
Sprint Qualifying: 12th
Sprint Race: 16th
Positions: -4
Qualifying : 8th
Grand Prix: 6th (8 points)
Positions: +2
George (7th in the standings) :
Sprint Qualifying: 11th
Sprint Race: 13th
Positions: -2
Qualifying: 7th
Grand Prix: 8th (4 points)
Positions: - 1
Mercedes with another shocker their upgrades clearly not working at all and they were lucky to finish in the points it looks like mid top ten is the trend for this team and frankly it’s not good enough.
Lewis was happy with the progress but I’m still reserved about this car because it can be good one day then horrid the next.
George said the car had no pace so his car was horrid but Lewis’s car was okay.
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Shanghai 🇨🇳 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️
Lando (5th in the standings) :
Sprint Qualifying: 1st
Sprint Race: 6th (3 points)
Positions: -5
Qualifying: 4th
Grand Prix: 2nd (18 points)
Positions: +2
Oscar (6th in the standings):
Sprint Qualifying: 8th
Sprint Race: 7th (2 points)
Positions: +1
Qualifying: 5th
Grand Prix: 8th (4 points)
Positions: -3
Mclaren started off the well with pole in the sprint race for lando but struggled from the get go during the sprint race with grip on the track and overall pace but still managed to finish in the points for the sprint race.
An incredible drive from lando during the Grand Prix and a good strategy call from McLaren. They finished ahead of the Ferraris and secured p2 for Lando. Unfortunately Oscar had some severe damage that hampered his race but he did well to still finish in the points.
Lewis (9th in the standings):
Sprint Qualifying: 2nd
Sprint Race: 2nd (7 points)
Positions: 0
Qualifying : 18th
Grand Prix: 9th (2 points)
Positions: +9
George (7th in the standings) :
Sprint Qualifying: 11th
Sprint Race: 8th (1 points)
Positions: +3
Qualifying: 8th
Grand Prix: 6th (8 points)
Positions: +2
Lewis had an incredible sprint race where he led for a few laps before being overtaken by Max but still managed to finish 2nd securing his first podium in 2024. George did well to fight from 11th up till 8th to secure the last point for the Sprint Race.
An incredible recovery from Lewis to finish in the points and moving his way up the field from P18. A consistent performance from George to secure another points finish but the car is still incredibly slow and Mercedes still do not know what is wrong with the car so will most likely continue to experiment with different set ups.
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GT World Challenge Asia - Sepang 🇲🇾 debrief
Climax racing car number 22 (Pro-Am)
Lineup:
-Ralf Aron (Sepang, Okoyama & Shanghai)
-Jules Gounon (Chang, Fuji & Suzuka)
-Wang Zhongwei
Race 1
Wang ➡️ Ralf
Qualifying:
Overall - 23rd
In class - 12th
Results:
Overall - 14th
In class - 10th (1 point)
Race 2
Ralf ➡️ Wang
Qualifying:
Overall - 3rd
In class - 3rd
Results:
Overall - 5th
In class - 4th (12 points)
Standings:
GT3 Teams Championship - 10th
GT3 Drivers Championship (Overall):
Ralf Aron - 8th
Wang Zhongwei - 8th
GT3 Drivers Championship (Pro-Am):
Ralf Aron - 9th
Wang Zhongwei - 9th
A good clean race from both Wang and Ralf to secure a points finish in class in Race 1. They did start off on the slick tires even though the track was still wet from the heavy rain earlier but thankfully they finished the race safely.
In race 2 it was a good start from Ralf who managed to keep and hold onto P3 at the start of the race and till he had to go in for the mandatory pit stop. Wang did well to keep the car in P3 when it was his turn in the car and was on course to finish the race in 3rd until the number 1 Porsche made contact with the back of car number 22 causing it to spin around.
After Race control reviewed the incident car number 1 which ended the race in 3rd received a drive through penalty which was converted to a 33 second post race penalty moving it down to 12th place. As a result car number 22 finished the race 5th overall and 4th in class.
📸 Climax Racing | Mercedes-AMG Motorsport | Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia | SRO Motorsports Group
RAVENOL ADAC 24HRS Nürburgring Qualifiers 🇩🇪debrief
ADVAN x HRT car number 6 (SP9) (SP9 Pro-AM in NLS) :
- Hubert Haupt
- Dennis Fetzer
- Ralf Aron
- Salman Owega
Race 1:
Qualified:
Overall - 21st
In class - 20th
Results :
Overall - 16th
In class - 16th
NLS class- 1st
Driving order:
Haupt ➡️ Owega ➡️ Fetzer
(I fell asleep after Owega entered the car and woke up when Fetzer was in so I’m not sure if Ralf drove in Race 1 😭😭)
Race 2:
Qualified:
Overall - 20th
In class - 19th
Results:
Overall - 16th
In class - 16th
NLS class - 1st
Driving order:
Ralf ➡️ Owega ➡️ Fetzer ➡️ Ralf
Unfortunately didn’t get to see much footage of car number 6 but from what I saw they had a pretty solid weekend with good prep for the 24Hrs of Nürburgring next month.
These qualifiers also go towards the NLS and in both races they secured P1 in the Pro-Am Class.
📸 Haupt Racing Team | Mercedes AMG Motorsport | NLS
Paul Aron is set to make his Formula E debut in Berlin!!
Paul Aron will be taking part in the Formula-E Berlin e-prix double header on the 11th - 12th May with Envision racing!! He will also be taking part in the Rookie Session this week in Misano as part of an extensive preparation plan ahead of the races in Germany.
Paul:
“It’s a great opportunity to race for Envision Racing in Berlin. I’m very much looking forward to experiencing Formula E for the first time and working with the team,”
“We’ll be working hard up until the race to prepare for the event, starting with the rookie session this week in Misano.”
©️ Formula E | Envision Racing
Suzuka 🇯🇵 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️
Lando (6th in the standings) :
Qualified: 3rd
Finished: 5th (10 points)
Positions: -2
Oscar (5th in the standings):
Qualified: 6th
Finished: 8th (4 points)
Positions: -2
Mclaren started off strong with their strategy choice but unfortunately it wasn’t the right call and it cost them a potential podium. The car still lacks pace especially down the straight but makes up for it in the high speed corners. Both cars struggled with the tires but still did a good job to finish in the points.
Lewis (9th in the standings):
Qualified: 7th
Finished: 9th (2 points)
Positions: -2
George (7th in the standings) :
Qualified: 9th
Finished: 7th (6 points)
Positions: +2
The strategy chosen for both Lewis and George did not pay off at all and put them on the back foot compared to the others. Lewis had to call for the strategy to be changed as it was not working and after pit stops he was still losing time. George showed the car has good pace for overtaking but he was on fresher tires compared to Oscar and it did take him a while. The car still looks like it hasn’t got pace compared to the Ferraris. At least they finished in the points this time.
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
NLS 1 & NLS 2 🇩🇪(Nüburgring Langstrecken - Serie) debrief:
ADVAN x HRT car number 6 (SP9 Pro-Am Class) :
- Hubert Haupt
- Dennis Fetzer
- Ralf Aron
NLS 1:
Qualified:
Overall - 6th
In class - Pole
Results :
Overall - 6th
In class - 1st
A pretty clean race overall apart from the start when a drive through penalty was handed out because Haupt jumped the start.
Haupt and Fetzer took the first two parts of the race then Ralf took over at the last stages which is the longest stint of the race, finishing in P6 overall but first in their class.
NLS 2:
Qualified:
Overall - 2nd
In class - Pole
Results:
Overall - 14th
In class - 1st
Ralf took the start of the race this time and had a good clean start conceding some positions but overall it was a good start. Haupt then took over from Ralf and there was a pretty long pit stop between him switching out with Fetzer which dropped them a load of positions but slowly they crept back up to the top 15 and still secured 1st in their class.
An incredible opening two rounds of the NLS for the ADVAN x HRT crew, couldn’t be prouder☺️!!
📸 Haupt Racing Team | Mercedes AMG Motorsport | NLS
Melbourne 🇦🇺 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️:
Lando (6th in the standings) :
Qualified: 3rd
Finished: 3rd (15 points)
Positions: 0
Oscar (5th in the standings):
Qualified: 5th
Finished: 4th (12 points)
Positions: + 1
McLaren did incredibly well with their strategy which allowed them to take the fight to Ferrari but unfortunately they still don’t have the pace to fully fight the Ferraris but it is promising to see that both cars are in the top 5.
Lewis (9th in the standings):
Qualified: 11th
Finished: DNF
Positions:
George (8th in the standings) :
Qualified: 7th
Finished: DNF
Positions:
Lewis DNFd due to engine failure on Lap 17. George crashed and DNFd on the final lap but I’m glad he’s okay. All weekend Lewis said there was something wrong with the car and unfortunately the car is not performing at all. The car has no pace or reliability I honestly don’t know what to say.
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Melbourne 🇦🇺 debrief Dino edition 🏎️:
Dino (4th in F3 standings) :
Qualified - P3
Sprint - P10
Sprint :
P13 (5 sec penalty)
Positions: -3
Feature :
P1 (25 points + 1 for fastest lap)
Positions: +2
An unfortunate turn of events for Dino during the sprint and he did so well to fight up the pack to get to P6 with an impressive last lap overtake to snatch P6. However due to a 5 sec time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage he dropped down to P13.
In the feature race Dino did a mega job in holding position at the start and during the safety car restart. He kept up with Mini staying within DRS range till he could overtake Mini in Lap 12. Dino stayed within DRS range of Leonardo and took the race lead in lap 14 and kept Leonardo at bay till the chequered flag to win the race and get the point for fastest lap. Incredible job from Dino, extremely proud of him🥳🥳!!
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Melbourne 🇦🇺 debrief Paul edition 🏎️
Paul (2nd in F2 standings):
Qualified - P6
Sprint - P5
Sprint:
P18
Positions: -13
Feature:
P2 (18 points)
Positions: +4
A spot of bad luck for Paul during the Sprint race which began so well with him moving up to P3 at the start. As the race progress he got tangled up in a collision through no fault of his own as Antonelli spun so Verschoor and Paul had to take evasive action but contact still happened and Paul damaged his front wing so he had to pit losing him a lot of positions, resulting in him finishing P18. Overall the sprint race was really tough.
An incredible race from Paul in the feature race. He did so well to overtake and put himself in a position to be in P2 plus getting his revenge for the sprint race. Mega job from him and I’m super duper proud of him for coming back stronger💙🎉!!
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Jeddah 🇸🇦 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️
Lando (8th in the standings) :
Qualified: 6th
Finished: 8th (4 points)
Positions: - 2
Oscar (5th in the standings):
Qualified: 5th
Finished: 4th (12 points)
Positions: + 1
McLaren did what they could with the strategy they chose for Lando as they tried something new. A good job by both Lando and Oscar securing points for the team. The straight line speed of the car still seems to be lacking and cost Oscar multiple opportunities to try overtake Hamilton but hopefully come future upgrades it will be improved.
Lewis (9th in the standings):
Qualified: 8th
Finished: 9th (2 points)
Positions: - 1
George (4th in the standings) :
Qualified: 7th
Finished: 6th ( 8 points)
Positions: + 1
Mercedes left Lewis out too long and gambled on another safety car but unfortunately it didn’t pay off. The car is not very good in high speed corners. Changes need to be made to that car because merc where 20 seconds behind the best Ferrari. Overall I have no idea what’s going on at this point apart from the fact they are getting slower every race, I’m just hoping something improves for Melbourne.
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Jeddah 🇸🇦 debrief Paul edition 🏎️
Paul (4th in F2 standings):
A mega drive from Paul in the Sprint Race to secure another Podium in F2 and fastest lap.
Unfortunately the feature race was a lot tougher with multiple contacts and a spin costing him positions through no fault of his own. Nevertheless he fought till the end securing P11 and then getting promoted to P10 after Martins received a 5 second penalty for causing a collision with Paul. Still incredibly proud of him for fighting to the end. Total of 10 points collected this weekend. Now onto Melbourne!!
Qualified - P10 but started P9 in the feature due to Ollie withdrawing
Sprint Pole
Sprint:
P2 (8 points + 1 for fastest lap)
Positions: -1
Feature:
P10 (1 point)
Positions: - 1
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Bahrain 🇧🇭 debrief Paul & Dino edition 🏎️
Paul (3rd in F2 standings):
A mega drive from Paul in both the Sprint and Feature race securing a total of 19 points and HIS FIRST F2 PODIUM! Incredibly proud of him and hope he keeps this momentum going.
Qualified - P12
Sprint:
P5 (4 points)
Positions: +7
Feature:
P3 (15 points)
Positions: +9
Dino (15th in F3 standings) :
An unfortunate turn of events for Dino this race week after having a strong start. He secured a total of 2 points this weekend but I know he will bounce back in Melbourne.
Qualified - P1 (2 points)
Sprint :
P29
Positions: -28
Feature :
P13
Positions: -12
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
Bahrain 🇧🇭 debrief McLaren & Mercedes edition 🏎️
Lando (6th in the standings) :
Qualified: 7th
Finished: 6th (8 points)
Positions: + 1
Oscar (8th in the standings):
Qualified: 8th
Finished: 8th (4 points)
Positions: 0
Good solid start from McLaren wayy better than last year. Bahrain is known not to suit their car but they did well to finish in the points. Now just to build on it and keep pushing.
Lewis (7th in the standings):
Qualified: 9th
Finished: 7th (6 points)
Positions: + 2
George (5th in the standings) :
Qualified: 3rd
Finished: 5th (10 points)
Positions: -2
Mercedes had issues with overheating and the battery but still managed to finish in the points. Not what I expected after testing but hopefully whatever issues they had will be resolved before Jeddah.
📸 Formula Motorsport Limited I Getty Images
