Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Corvette Sebring GT victory aided by Porsche pit “mistake” – Garcia

Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia admits that Porsche’s late-race misfortune meant his strongest challenge in the GTLM evaporated in the final hour of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

#911 Porsche Team North America Porsche 911 RSR: Patrick Pilet, Dirk Werner, Frédéric Makowiecki

#911 Porsche Team North America Porsche 911 RSR: Patrick Pilet, Dirk Werner, Frédéric Makowiecki

Porsche Motorsport

GTLM podium: winners Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller, Corvette Racing
#3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller
#911 Porsche Team North America Porsche 911 RSR: Patrick Pilet, Dirk Werner, Frédéric Makowiecki
#66 Ford Performance Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT: Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Sébastien Bourdais
#3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller
#3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen, Mike Rockenfeller

With long-time race leaders Ford deciding to pit all three of its GTs together, Corvette and Porsche hit upon perfectly-timed pitstops in the closing stages.

But just as Porsche’s Patrick Pilet seemed poised to beat Garcia to the win, a right-rear wheelgun failure cost him vital track position.

The 911 was still in the hunt for victory, until a left-front puncture soon after – and a pitstop penalty for running over an airhose as it was replaced – relegated Pilet to seventh. It resulted in Corvette's third straight Sebring victory.

“I knew it was going to be really, really tough,” said Garcia, who shared the win with Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller. “The Fords stayed out on a poorer set of tires than us. I knew that had to be my stint.

“I needed to make the moves and pass the Ferrari, the #68 [Ford] and [Ford’s Scott] Dixon. I passed everybody because that was probably the only time they would be a little bit weaker than we were. It worked.

“At the end the Porsche looked very, very strong. They were flying. They passed all the way up to us until that last safety car.

“Again, there was a magnificent stop by the Corvette Racing crew. I think the Porsche made a mistake there. Without knowing, I thought it was Joey [Hand’s Ford] behind us, but it was again the Porsche.

“I knew it was going to be tough. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to hold him, but probably. Our car kept going faster and faster.

“At the end things went a little bit in our favour. It was a sprint to the end. Amazing.”

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Sebring 12h: WTR Cadillac wins again, Corvette beats Ford in GTLM
Next article Corvette’s stunning Sebring night speed frustrates Ford stars

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA