Maiden GT4 victory for Hopkinson and George
Optimum Motorsport enjoyed a landmark weekend at Brands Hatch (23–24 August), with Luca Hopkinson and Harry George taking their first-ever British GT GT4 victory and Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer securing a brilliant GT3 podium to deliver a double celebration for the team.
With no traditional Friday test session, Optimum’s four McLarens went straight into Saturday’s practice and Pre-Qualifying to fine-tune their setups ahead of the grid-deciding sessions.
In GT3 qualifying, the #77 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO of Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer secured a strong P5 overall, while the #3 of Jon Kearney and Callum Macleod placed 10th in Pro-Am and 11th overall.
GT4 was just as close-fought, with the #17 McLaren Artura of Luca Hopkinson and Harry George narrowly missing out on pole to line-up P2 on the front row. The sister #90 entry of championship leaders Jack Brown and Marc Warren also delivered a solid performance, qualifying P2 in Pro-Am and P4 overall.
Race day produced one of the most competitive GT3 battles of the season. Tillbrook kept the #77 well in contention during the opening stint before handing to Kirchhöfer, who emerged from the pit lane right behind the leading Mercedes-AMG.
Despite applying heavy pressure through the final laps, Kirchhöfer had to settle for second, finishing just half a second adrift at the flag. The sister #3 also battled hard to avoid drama and climbed into the top 10 by the finish.
Over on the GT4 side, when the pole-sitting Mahiki Ginetta retired, George seized the opportunity to move into the lead and pulled clear before handing to Hopkinson. Rejoining with a commanding advantage, he managed the gap brilliantly despite a late Safety Car, securing a dominant victory.
The result marked the first-ever British GT win for both Hopkinson and George, a well-deserved reward that also keeps them firmly in contention for the GT4 Drivers’ Championship.
By contrast, the #90 McLaren of Brown and Warren saw its race end in heartbreak after unintentional contact sent the car into the tyre wall. The duo had been in position to potentially seal the GT4 Pro-Am title but will now have to take the fight to Donington.
British GT’s action resumes at Donington Park on October 4/5.
Optimum Motorsport enjoyed a landmark weekend at Brands Hatch (23–24 August), with Luca Hopkinson and Harry George taking their first-ever British GT GT4 victory and Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer securing a brilliant GT3 podium to deliver a double celebration for the team.
With no traditional Friday test session, Optimum’s four McLarens went straight into Saturday’s practice and Pre-Qualifying to fine-tune their setups ahead of the grid-deciding sessions.
In GT3 qualifying, the #77 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO of Morgan Tillbrook and Marvin Kirchhöfer secured a strong P5 overall, while the #3 of Jon Kearney and Callum Macleod placed 10th in Pro-Am and 11th overall.
GT4 was just as close-fought, with the #17 McLaren Artura of Luca Hopkinson and Harry George narrowly missing out on pole to line-up P2 on the front row. The sister #90 entry of championship leaders Jack Brown and Marc Warren also delivered a solid performance, qualifying P2 in Pro-Am and P4 overall.
Race day produced one of the most competitive GT3 battles of the season. Tillbrook kept the #77 well in contention during the opening stint before handing to Kirchhöfer, who emerged from the pit lane right behind the leading Mercedes-AMG.
Despite applying heavy pressure through the final laps, Kirchhöfer had to settle for second, finishing just half a second adrift at the flag. The sister #3 also battled hard to avoid drama and climbed into the top 10 by the finish.
Over on the GT4 side, when the pole-sitting Mahiki Ginetta retired, George seized the opportunity to move into the lead and pulled clear before handing to Hopkinson. Rejoining with a commanding advantage, he managed the gap brilliantly despite a late Safety Car, securing a dominant victory.
The result marked the first-ever British GT win for both Hopkinson and George, a well-deserved reward that also keeps them firmly in contention for the GT4 Drivers’ Championship.
By contrast, the #90 McLaren of Brown and Warren saw its race end in heartbreak after unintentional contact sent the car into the tyre wall. The duo had been in position to potentially seal the GT4 Pro-Am title but will now have to take the fight to Donington.
British GT’s action resumes at Donington Park on October 4/5.
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