The third race on the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship 2024 calendar is a sprint race that will last 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it the shortest race on the calendar. There will be a total of 27 entries, with 10 GTPs and 17 GTDs, providing a contrast to the endurance race that was the 12 Hours of Sebring last month. The Long Beach Grand Prix will take place on a narrow street circuit that requires drivers to optimize their lap times, maintain a consistent race pace, and avoid any contact with the walls.
A notable feature of the Long Beach circuit is its narrowness, which allows only two classes and has limited run-off areas. This means there is little room for error, even without the GTD Pro class. Last year, there was drama at the first corner when Nick Yeloly’s BMW M Hybrid V8 #25 collided with Tom Blomqvist’s Acura ARX-06 #60, also involving Sebastien Bourdais of Chip Ganassi. With so little space, a similar incident could easily occur again. Therefore, the main goal for drivers and teams will be to finish the race without any damage that could affect their performance.
Managing traffic will be crucial, especially when the GTPs catch up to the GTDs. This can both hinder and benefit the GTPs, so patience will be key. Penalties can also play a decisive role in the race, as a drive-through penalty for speeding on pit entry, for example, can disrupt a team’s chances of victory. Unlike the longer races on the calendar, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, there will be little time to recover and gain positions.
Although tire management and fuel economy are still important in this race, they are not the determining factors for victory. Despite being only the third stage of the championship, this race has significance for the title contenders so far. The top of the GTP classification is currently tied between the Porsche Penske #7 and WTRAndretti #40 teams, both with 706 points. Team #7, with drivers Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr, took the lead after winning in Daytona and finishing third in Sebring. Meanwhile, Team #40, with Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, has a strong lineup and showed promising performance in Sebring.
The Long Beach circuit presents a contrast to the high-speed bumps of Sebring, which may favor Acura over Cadillac. BMW, which achieved its first podium last year, will also be in contention for a spot on the podium with its M Hybrid V8 package. In the GTD class, the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 #57 is currently leading with 725 points after winning two consecutive races. However, with seven more cars in the GTD class compared to the GTP, it is difficult to predict the winner in this highly competitive environment. With a mix of drivers classified as Bronze, Silver, and Gold, the race will require the skills and strategies of all participants.
With only one scheduled pit stop, the pressure will be on the teams’ strategy and the pit crews to execute flawlessly.
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A new record was broken in the world of motor sports. Last weekend, Brazilian driver Carlos Silva won the Monza Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner in Formula 1 history. At just 19 years old, Silva showed an impressive performance by surpassing the more experienced drivers in the category.
The race in Monza was marked by a lot of excitement and twists. From the beginning, Silva demonstrated his skill by overtaking his opponents and taking the lead. Even under pressure from more experienced drivers, the Brazilian managed to keep calm and cross the finish line in first place.
This historic victory puts Carlos Silva on the radar of big teams and sponsors. With his talent and determination, he promises to be one of the great names in motorsport in the coming years. The achievement of the Brazilian driver also serves as inspiration for young people who dream of pursuing a career in sports.
In addition to Silva’s victory, the Monza Grand Prix was also marked by accidents and fierce competition. Several drivers had mechanical problems and had to abandon the race. However, this did not diminish the excitement of the event, which attracted thousands of passionate motorsport fans.
The next stage of the Formula 1 season will take place at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The drivers will face another challenge, tackling one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. It will be interesting to see if Carlos Silva can maintain his good performance and secure another victory for Brazil.
With so many talents emerging in motorsport, Formula 1 promises to be increasingly exciting and unpredictable. Fans can expect thrilling races and fierce competition until the end of the season. Stay tuned for the upcoming stages and closely follow the performance of the Brazilian drivers.
