BMW Team Marc VDS end the two-day official test for the European Le Mans Series with plenty to do ahead of the season opener at Silverstone in two weekends’ time. The BMW Z4 GTE ended the test fourth in class, more than a second from the pace.
Drivers Henry Hassid, Jesse Krohn and Andy Priaulx all spent plenty of time in the #52 car. The main focus of the test was finding a set up on the new Dunlop tyre, which all the GT runners will use in the series. However, a good balance was difficult to find, with grip particularly elusive.
The team’s search for a solution was hampered further when rain swept in midway through the second day, leaving the team unable to get any more running on the slick tyre.
The focus between the test and Silverstone on April 9-10 will be on finding a solution, with data analysis at the centre of the team’s preparation.
Andy Priaulx, BMW Z4 GTE
“It’s been a hard couple of days, and we’ve got a lot of work to do. At the moment, I think we’re clearly behind. In terms of the team and driver collaboration we’re in a strong position and that’s something to be very positive about. It’s going to be great to open the season at my home race, and I hope there are plenty of British fans out to cheer us on!”
Jesse Krohn, BMW Z4 GTE
“It was difficult, but at the end we have made a bit of progress – even if we still have plenty to do. It’s certainly not the start we were hoping for. What’s really given me confidence is how the team has reacted to the problems. They are focused and committed to working to find a solution to every problem we’ve encountered, which is a plus. It was good to drive the full circuit at Paul Ricard, which I’d never done, so that will be very important later. With a closer focus, I’m still really looking forward to Silverstone.”
Sebastien Metz, Technical Director
“This has certainly not been the ideal test we had hoped for. We’ve got a lot of work to do, particularly with finding a way to make this tyre work. Right now, we are far from where we’d like to be, with this tyre and compared to the competition. On the positive side, I have total confidence in this team and our ability to work together with BMW Motorsport and find a solution. We’re going to be very busy before Silverstone, that’s for sure.”