Ho-Pin Tung fastest in final FIA WEC 2017 Prologue Session
Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota Sport is raring to go for the start of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship in a fortnight after topping the LMP2 times in the final session of the two-day season Prologue in Monza, Italy at the weekend.
Ho-Pin Tung set a lightning lap in the final track session of the two-day Prologue, putting the #38 car 0.111s ahead of his closest rival in the intensely-competitive, 10-car LMP2 category.
The achievement was the culmination of a strong weekend for the team, during which the dazzling line-up of driver talent and team expertise came together with the rest of the WEC field for the first time, and is an indication of what is to come from the formidable outfit this season.
Although the team has already completed an extensive pre-season testing programme, the two-day official Prologue, with the entire 2017 entry present, provided a useful benchmark as well as final chance to ensure the two-car LMP2 team is working like clockwork ahead of the 6 Hours of Silverstone season-opener on April 16.
Drivers David Cheng, Alex Brundle, Tristan Gommendy, Ho-Pin Tung, former LMP1 driver Oliver Jarvis, and WEC newcomer Thomas Laurent all had runs in the new car, with lap times proving the team is going to be a strong WEC LMP2 title contender this season amongst the most competitive field in the championship’s history.
Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota Sport will take to the famous British track for free practice on Friday, April 14, with Qualifying the following day and the race getting underway at noon local time on Sunday, April 16.
#38 Ho-Pin Tung:
“It’s great to finish fastest in the final session of the WEC Prologue. We’ve worked well over the past two days at Monza and we’ve managed to improve bit by bit, mainly by focusing on the upcoming races. Everyone at Jackie Chan DC Racing and Jota Sport is gelling very well, we have a great atmosphere and I couldn’t be more pleased! All six drivers share the same feedback and feeling on car behaviour, which is a big advantage for getting to grips quickly with our new Oreca 07’s.
We have learned a lot and still have a lot to do, but this is a very good start. I had the honour of making Jackie Chan DC Racing the first-ever Chinese team to top the time sheets and it leaves us wanting more – we’ll definitely be trying to do that again at Silverstone!”
Monza, April 3, 2017
