Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing finishes the Saturday in Magny-Cours in dominant style by winning Race 1 of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup. After Jules Gounon put it on pole position during qualifying 1, he and Dani Juncadella went on to collect the silverware.
Finally, a reward for the hard work the drivers and the team put in. Luck hasn’t been on their side during this GT World Challenge Europe season, after suffering from mechanical failures, mistakes and crashes of others. On Saturday in Magny-Cours, Verstappen Racing simply did everything right.
“It took a bit too long unfortunately!” Juncadella tells GT REPORT after the race. “We’ve been close to winning races. Well, we won two races this year already, but then unfortunately we got disqualified at the Nürburgring and then in Brands Hatch it was taken away by a post-race penalty,” he sums up.
That’s why this race win feels extra good now. “I was really looking forward to this one, also together with Jules. He’s one of my best friends in racing. The car has been amazing all weekend, so far it’s been incredible and we’ve been quick. A lot of that is thanks to the team. They gave us an amazing car and an awesome race.”
Juncadella with beautiful words for good friend Gounon
The Spaniard sees the result reassure everyone that Gounon ‘never left’, although no one within the team ever doubted him. “We had a super fast car, that’s no question, but also Jules – what an amazing driver he is in qualifying. He’s one of the best out here in GT and he shows it every time he’s here. Unfortunately he’s having a very tough year in DTM, where I know people are doubting him, but I think everybody saw Saturday morning: four tenths to the next Pro car,” Juncadella says.
Gounon told GT REPORT that he was proud of not giving up, and Juncadella praises that mentality, knowing what his friend and teammate is capable of. “Getting that lap in at a track like Magny-Cours is an incredible achievement. That was one of keys to this race. Then his first stint also pulling a six, seven second gap made everything a lot easier.”
Looking ahead to race 2
The team is sure the base of the car will be good going into the Sunday at Magny-Cours, but they know they will have to take some pre-race 2 adjustments into account. “I think it will be a bit harder for us on Sunday, because there’s also been some BoP adjustments.” Juncadella says.
“I think we’re all now very equal and it’s going to be a big fight in Q2. Hopefully we can have another strong quali and I look forward to it.”
