Optimum aiming to build on strong British GT start heading to Donington Park

Optimum Motorsport continues its marathon of races, travelling to Donington Park for the third and fourth rounds of the Intelligent Money British GT Championship, the team’s fourth weekend of racing on the trot.

Donington Park traditionally wraps up the season but this year there are two scheduled meetings at the circuit, with this weekend’s edition featuring a 120-minute race followed by a shorter 60-minute event.

Ollie Wilkinson and Lewis Proctor are back behind the wheel of the #96 McLaren 720S GT3 in the Silver Cup, looking to add to their success’ last time out at Oulton Park where they finished third and fifth.

Last year at Donington, Ollie finished second having already been crowned the Silver Cup Championship. With 30 points secured already in 2020 - and a deficit of seven to the championship leader - the aim to secure further podiums, and wins, given the opportunity.

Saturday features free practice and qualifying with round three getting under at 11.05 BST Sunday and round four at 16.30.

Bas Leinders, Optimum Motorsport Team Manager

It was a positive start for the Optimum Motorsport in British GT at Oulton Park, what learnings have the team taken away in readiness for rounds three and four at Donington Park this weekend?

“We have seen that the GT3 field is extremely competitive and very close with different winners and people on the podium in both races. We had a good first weekend and we are aiming for a perfect one this time as that is what you need to win the race with such a strong field. Every day is a learning day, so yes we will be stronger each time we go out there.”

Lewis was very impressive on his debut, taking the overall pole position and leading throughout his first stint. He and Ollie seem an especially strong line-up, what are your expectations for the race weekend?

“Both drivers have shown good pace and as duo they will grow stronger as well. We have an extra 50 kilos of Balance of Performance as a Silver-Silver pairing this weekend at Donington, but at least no additional [four and eight seconds] time penalty in the pits as first reported. Our rivals at Lamborghini and Mercedes have only 30 additional kilos on the car, which will be a handicap to us at McLaren, but we will do our best!”

As a new team to the McLaren customer programme, how is the team finding the 720S GT3 in terms of maximising peak performance in qualifying, whilst ensuring that the GT3 is quick on the longer full tank runs?

“From the start we had multiple clients and programmes with the McLaren 720S GT3 so we were able to do lot of testing with the cars, tyres and at many different tracks. We therefore have a very good understanding especially our drivers from the GT World Challenge, Rob Bell and Joe Osborne have been good help and on top of that we have some very experienced race engineers at Optimum Motorsport who have worked on the highest level with multiple brands.”