TINCKNELL A FIGHTING THIRD AT FUJI

Harry claims the final step on the podium after a hard fought race in mixed conditions at the latest round of the World Endurance Championship.

Harry Tincknell’s Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT finished in 3rd at the 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan on Sunday. Following a tough start to the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship season, the 67 car he shares with Guernseyman, Andy Priaulx scored back to back podiums following a 2nd place at the previous round at Silverstone. Tincknell started the race in wet conditions from the second row of the grid but the race was neutralised in the first hour following a tyre blowout for the 70 Ferrari and a crash for the 3 Rebellion LMP1 which scattered debris all around the Japanese circuit. During this long safety car period, Tincknell and the 67 crew gambled by pitting for slick tyres as the circuit dried and once racing resumed on lap 22 , this proved to pay off as 67 sliced through the GTE Pro field up to second place. Priaulx took over the car at the start of the third hour and had a relatively routine double stint in the car handing back to Tincknell in 3rd place as Ford opted to keep their faster new Michelin tyres for the end of the race and instead fitted tyres used in the previous days qualifying session. Goodridge sponsored Tincknell took control for the penultimate stint maintaining the gap to the leading Porsche and second placed BMW before Priaulx resumed for the final hour. However, the Ford GT couldn’t chase down the front two cars and settled for their second podium in two races.

Harry Tincknell (GB):

“I am really happy with another podium today in Fuji. We knew with the recent changes to the Championship’s balance of performance that things would be tougher for us here and in Shanghai so to fight at the front for the whole race and score more strong points was a fantastic result. With less power and more weight in the car, we were slower on the straights so we had to make up for that by being even faster in the corners. I knew Andy and I had to be perfect with our driving and the team had to be precise with the strategy while executing our pit stops well for us to stay ahead and that’s exactly what we all did”. “It was a real team effort today and while I’m always disappointed if we don’t win, 3rdplace honestly felt like a winning performance and everyone should be proud of the job they did. I can’t wait to travel to the next Asian leg of the Championship at Shanghai in a few weeks, we’ve won both times we’ve been there so we’re hoping to keep that 100% record going!”

Harry's next FIA World Endurance Championship takes place at Shanghai, China on the 18th November.