Akkodis ASP team principal Jérôme Policand was in fine form at the Algarve International Circuit this morning at the start of a second day of testing with the team’s ‘new’ Lexus RC F GT3.
This week’s Goodyear tyre test ahead of next year’s LMGT3 class switch from GTE marks the first public ‘reveal’ of a programme first written about by DSC back in July.
“We have had such huge success with Mercedes AMG but it was time for us to take a step forward and the opportunity to do that with Lexus was too good to pass up.
“I have looked at the WEC before but the change to GT3 regulations obviously suited us very well, and clearly with the Toyota connection this was a programme with significant potential.”
So is the link with Mercedes-AMG over?
“The only programme we will run with Mercedes-AMG in 2024 is in GT2 with some Amateur drivers in GT2 cars, definitely in the GT2 European Series and possibly a few Creventic races too. Of course, I am still on good terms with our friends at Mercedes-AMG, I’m sure they entirely understand why we have made the decision.”
What are your initial impressions of the car?
“It seems very good, obviously very different from the Mercedes but a good base to work from. It is clearly a successful ca in IMSA so we know it has potential.”
Is the car here a new car?
“No, quite the opposite, this is a pretty old car. I believe this car has raced in Japan, in IMSA and in Europe! This is simply a test car to get the programme underway.”
So new cars for the WEC if the selection is confirmed?
“Yes, the programme is secure and we know when to expect the cars.”
Will the car race in this form or is there an Evo to come?
“For LM GT3 we have to be in the aero window and this car will need some fairly minor changes to achieve that.
“There is a programme, and there is wind-tunnel time allocated to complete that and to complete the Evo homologation in time for the 2024 WEC season.”
Pechito (Lopez) and Jack (Hawksworth) are testing here. What can you tell us about the driver selection?
“Pro driver selection will be done by Kazuki Nakajima at Toyota Gazoo Racing, so it will most likely be from within their driver roster. As for the Silver and Bronze seats, no news yet but, as you can imagine, there is no shortage of interest!”
We understand the new Toyota/ Lexus is currently two years away, is there any prospect of the new car earlier than that?
“Of course, we would like it earlier but we are ready to be committed for as long as the transitional programme needs to be.
Finally, we’re here testing the new-for-2024 Goodyear LMGT3 tyres. First impressions?
“All of our recent experience is with Pirellis, plus a little bit with Michelins. Of course, it is different but so far we are finding the Goodyears pretty good, the test has been really well run.”
Pic top copyright and courtesy of Tim Creswick
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