British GT: M-Sport Racing claims first podium at Rockingham

M-Sport Press Release

M-Sport Racing drivers Rembert Berg and Warren Hughes took the team's first podium in the second round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Rockingham last weekend. Thanks to a strong team effort, the pairing finished second in the two hour endurance race.

Following a good test at the venue, M-Sport Racing started well by claiming the fifth fastest time in both the first and second practice sessions. However problems with traffic and a small mistake on the final lap of qualifying saw them starting from 11th on the grid.

A strong start from Berg vaulted the team well into the top-ten and slick team work in the pits - as soon as the pit window opened - gave Hughes a clear track and fresh tyres to maximise the chance to improve the result.

An aggressive strategy on fresh tyres enabled Hughes to continue the good work and push for a podium position. A technical problem for Phil Keen enabled Hughes to climb to second, a position he held to the chequered flag to take M-Sport Racing's first podium.

In addition to taking the podium, a superb drive from Berg also resulted in the Swiss-based Dutchman taking the coveted ‘Blancpain Driver Award'.

Rembert Berg said: "It has been a great day and I am delighted to be part of the M-Sport Racing team on their maiden podium. It was a tough race, but the car has been fast and reliable and Warren did a great job to finish the job in style. Winning the Blancpain Award was a nice bonus"

Warren Hughes said: "Rem did a great job off the start to get us through the first session in a strong position. The team made a really slick pit stop to give me the best chance to push for a podium position. It was then a case of controlling the tyre wear and bringing the car home in one piece. It was great to see all the hard work the team has been doing in the past few months and the lessons learned from testing pay off with this first podium."

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: "It has been a good solid performance from all the team this weekend. Rem and Warren did a fantastic job in the car and the M-Sport Racing team supported them well over the course of the weekend. It all certainly looks to be moving in the right direction which is good. It is hard to believe the team have only been racing for six weeks!"

Photo credit: British GT