Robert Wickens will experience an exciting weekend at Road America, as he makes his debut in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This sudden change, which occurred just before the race, has generated expectations among motorsport fans.
The Canadian driver was selected Wednesday afternoon to take the place of Salih Yoluc behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R from DXDT Racing. Wickens will share the car with his sprint teammate, Mason Filippi, and Charlie Eastwood on the challenging natural circuit of 4.048 miles and 14 turns.
Last-minute preparations and determination
Although a last-minute call-up usually means rushed preparation, Wickens remains focused on what lies ahead. ‘I don’t know the exact details about why Salih couldn’t do the race… but for me, it’s a great opportunity,’ he commented.
This weekend’s race is Wickens’ first endurance start in IMSA since the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2017, where he competed in the LMP2 category. Following several financial difficulties and a transport incident that forced DXDT to withdraw from the race at Laguna Seca, this debut comes at a crucial moment in his career.
Preparation and credentials
Despite the limited preparation, Wickens brings significant experience that helps him tackle the challenge. Last year, he drove for 1 hour and 58 minutes in a sprint race at CTMP, demonstrating his capability for long stints. Moreover, he has participated in endurance tests such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and completed four six-hour races in a TCR car last season.
In his GTD competition this year, he has achieved a best result of sixth in two previous races, with a maximum of fourth at CTMP last year. ‘Strategies in an endurance race are more open, which provides more opportunities to win or lose,’ he added.
Clear goals
Filippi set the initial pace for the weekend with a qualifying in ninth position in class. With Eastwood bolstering the team, Wickens is confident they have the potential to climb to the top of the podium. ‘The goal is always the same: this team wants to win,’ he stated.
With the foundations well established, Wickens is optimistic about his options. ‘We have been very close on many occasions. With a driver lineup like ours in the GTD class, we have every opportunity to succeed this weekend,’ he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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