Richard Westbrook

Westbrook back in FIA GT lead

British Porsche star Richard Westbrook has moved back into the points lead after finishing second in the latest round of the FIA GT Championship at the new Portuguese Algarve circuit.

Westbrook stormed through the pack after the ProSpeed Porsche 997 GT3-RSR he shared with Emmanuel Collard was delayed in an early incident, and the duo were only denied the win by an ill timed safety-car period.

It was Collard’s turn to qualify this weekend, but the Frenchman was left down in eighth on the grid after hitting traffic on his hot laps. “The car was working really well,” said Westbrook. “We were confident we could repeat our speed from Budapest last time out, where we won, and qualify at the front. Eighth wasn’t representative, and it meant we had to do our usual thing of coming through the field!”

That ploy was delayed when Collard was hit by a Ferrari in the early stages, dropping to last after his spin. He did a good job of regaining ground and, when Westbrook took over, the Briton carved through the runners ahead.

He had reached third place when the safety car appeared. Other teams, who had made their first pitstops much earlier, were able to make their second stops while the safety car was out. But that option was denied ProSpeed as Westbrook still had 20 minutes to drive to make up the minimum 35-minute stint behind the wheel.

Luckily for ProSpeed, Ferrari-driving title rivals Bruni and Vilander were in the same boat. “We were only worried about the Bruni car,” said Richard. “But Vilander had already been out for 30 minutes. He was getting close to being able to make his second stop, and the team were telling me that if the safety car lights didn’t come off this lap we’d be screwed. Luckily they did!”

Westbrook immediately passed the leading Ferrari and scorched into the lead to set “as many quick laps as I could”. He then handed over to Collard, who raced to second place. “The main thing is we beat our title rivals, who were down in sixth, and took five points out of them,” said Westbrook. “We’re more than happy with second – all we’re interested in is beating the Bruni car.”

There are just two rounds to go, starting at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on October 4. “We’ll gain some success ballast and Bruni and Vilander will lose some,” added Richard. “But we know we’re pretty good around there. We’re confident and it’ll be a scrap to the end.”