Emil Frey Lexus Racing looks ahead to debut at Brands Hatch

After Zolder and Monza, Emil Frey Lexus Racing is heading to Brands Hatch next week, where the second round of the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup is hosted. The Swiss team is aiming to tie in on the latest progress gained at Monza for the traditional upcoming race track, whilst the Lexus RC F GT3 is being prepared intensively at the Workshop at Safenwil for its next race. Following on from one retirements in each of the one-hour race at the season opener at Zolder, the team brought both cars home in midfield positions at the three-hours Endurance Cup race at Monza. The Sprint Cup at Brands Hatch marks yet another debut in the still young season: for the very first time both Emil Frey Racing and the Lexus RC F GT3 will take to the four-kilometre-long track, suited in South-East England. The expectations are still kept realistically due to few races on the new Pirelli tyres. The team is aiming to implement the gained knowledge as swiftly as possible and is pleased with the development to date, looking positively ahead to the next challenge. “We managed to gain a lot of new data at Monza and have learned a few new things about the car”, says Hannes Gautschi, Technical Coordinator Emil Frey Lexus Racing. “In the days leading up to Brands Hatch we will analyse all data and look into the preparation of the Lexus for a new track. We hope, that we can take the progress we made at Monza to Brands Hatch and continue to improve.” The track layout of Brands Hatch features a similar characteristic as Zolder, however, following recent experience values, both engineers and mechanics know of the quality and the character of the car. “In Monza we improved step-by-step each day and both Lexus RC F GT3 set consistant lap times”, says Lorenz Frey, Team Principal Emil Frey Racing. “In qualifying, we did not live up to the full potential of the car and a result in the upper midfield was currently the maximum. It was important for us to see the chequered flag with both cars after three hours to collect as much data and experience as possible. There is a tight schedule at Brands Hatch with the qualifying following straight after two Free Practice sessions, whilst both races are taking place on Sunday – there is no room for mistakes. We will implement the new knowledge from Monza accordingly, using it for the next race weekend at Brands Hatch and hoping to keep up the momentum.” The Sprint Cup takes place at Brands Hatch (England) from 05 – 06 May. The one-hour races will both take place on Sunday at 12:00 pm and 4.30 pm respectively and broadcast live via: www.blancpain-gt-series.com/watch-live Driver Quotes Emil Frey Lexus Racing #14 Albert Costa Balboa (ESP) “As a team, we are on the right way and the Lexus has definitely improved compared to the beginning of the season. We have only had two race meetings on different tracks and tried a lot. Brands Hatch is a bumpy track just like Zolder, it will not be easy for us. But we are excited ahead the weekend and I am super motivated, because I can see there is a continuous improvement.” Christian Klien (A) “We have made quite a step forward at Monza and have to keep up this momentum now from race to race. Brands Hatch is similar to Zolder and for the team and Lexus completely new, but now we understand both the car and the Pirelli tyres better. I expect to see a further improvement.” Driver Quotes Emil Frey Lexus Racing #114 Stéphane Ortelli (MCO) “I was pleased with the Lexus at Monza, because other than at Zolder we were able to overtake and push. But we are still lacking a lot of performance to run further up. We should score our first points of the season at the next race in order not to lose touch, that should be the goal of everyone. It will be very difficult as the competition is extremely tough, but to run in the Top-20 is not where we want to be.” Norbert Siedler (A) “I always enjoy coming to Brands Hatch. It is great, that there are still tracks with hardly any safety zones and that you cannot make a mistake, not like with the new Formula 1 tracks. I am looking forward to the round and hope, that we can develop the Lexus RC F GT3 further.”