AF Corse (GTE-Pro) and Aston Martin Racing (GTE-Am) took out the GTE honors at La Sarthe, but not without a titanic duel throughout the night.
The # 51 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia of Gianmaria Bruni, Toni Vilander and Giancarlo Fisichella, scored a second win as a trio (after their class win in 2012) after fending off a spirited attack from the #97 Aston Martin Vantage of Darren Turner and Bruno Senna. Senna in particular was seemingly glued to Bruni in the latter portion of the race.
Aston’s challenge however was cut short with power steering fluid pipe failure, losing the team close to half an hour in the pits. A subsequent off from Turner in the 21st and another unscheduled stop left the Aston sixth in GTE-Pro.
In GTE-Am, Aston Martin Racing dominated from lights to flag finish in the #98 and #95 Vantages. However, fate smiled upon the #95 entry as took the class victory with an all-Danish driver line-up. The moment wasn’t lost on anyone a year out from Allan Simonsen’s tragic accident; the lap number even being remembered across the circuit.
The remaining podium positions were fiercely contested, but went to the #88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 RSR and #61 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia.
Image: Kelvin Pope/Red Firecracker Photography