24h Le Mans
43 teams (fielding 61 cars) competed in the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Super Finale of the FIA WEC 2018-19 World Endurance Championship. There were winners, of course, but also mechanical glitches, track incidents and early retirements. Joy for some, disappointment for others... Here’s a summary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the Rebellion Racing team, which ran in the LMP1 class.
Class: LMP1
Car: #1 Rebellion R13-Gibson
For the 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rebellion Racing's two Rebellion R13-Gibsons sported "neon rebel" liveries. The #1 Rebellion R13-Gibson qualified in sixth position with a time of 3:16.810 clocked by André Lotterer during the third session. The car had to return to its pit 50 minutes into the race with a flat right rear tyre, costing it a spot on the podium. But, Neel Jani, André Lotterer and Bruno Senna still managed to hold onto fourth place. "After the flat tyre, the car just wasn't the same. Fourth place is the best we could do. We could have reached the third step on the podium had our car been faster," explained Neel Jani.
Car: #3 Rebellion R13-Gibson
Drivers:
Gustavo Menezes qualified the #3 Rebellion R13-Gibson in fourth position with a time of 3:16.404 clocked during the third session. The American driver proved very fast and incisive early in the race. Thereafter, several setbacks cost the car dearly: two incidents and a three-minute penalty for not respecting tyre regulations. Thomas Laurent, Nathanaël Berthon and Gustavo Menezes crossed the finish line in fifth place. "Obviously, it's not the result we were looking for. We've been working hard for a long time and the car was magic. I think we were one of the only non-hybrid cars to keep up with the Toyotas at times, and that's already something gained. I am really sad, but that's Le Mans, we know it, it's never easy," admitted Menezes.
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE 2019, FREE PRACTICE. For the 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Swiss team Rebellion Racing fielded two Rebellion R13-Gibsons in the LMP1 class. Pictured here, the #1 shared by Neel Jani, André Lotterer and Bruno Senna.
