Optimum head to GT Open Paul Ricard looking to build on strong showing in Hungary

Having made such an impressive start to the season, Optimum Motorsport travel to Paul Ricard for the forthcoming third and fourth rounds of International GT Open this coming weekend (22-23 August).

The British-based team will again field the #7 McLaren 720S GT3 for Ollie Millroy and Brendan Iribe, while Nick Moss will be joined by Joe Osborne in the sister #72 entry, looking to build on the strong showing last time out in Hungary.

The first round of the championship saw Ollie and Brendan finish the opening round of the championship a fine third in the Pro-Am standings and with another points finish in the second round, are fifth in the standings with eight points. Nick and Joe meanwhile have three points from their fifth-place finish in round two.

The weekend format remains with free practice on Friday followed by qualifying Saturday morning at 10.15 CEST and the race at 16.40. Sunday features qualifying at 09.25 and the round four at 14.35.

Joe Osborne, Pro driver, car #72

Welcome to another new series Joe, your thoughts on joining the International GT Open championship?

“GT Open is new to me race-wise, but I know the guys in the series well, it’s a good professional and fun series to be a part of and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great championship with superb circuits and the series really caters to their audience brilliantly.

“Optimum, have two really strong Pro-Am cars, so across the garage with Ollie Millroy and Brendan, those guys will help bring a positive inter-team rivalry. It’s also going to be good and to represent McLaren in three championships this year is as well; it can only be positive.”

You’re no stranger to Optimum Motorsport, you have a history together as well as your 2020 GT World Challenge Europe programme.

“Working with Optimum Motorsport so closely this year in GT World Challenge Europe with Ollie Wilkinson and Rob Bell is mega, while Nick was one of our Pure McLaren customers, so I have got to know him well over the last two years. He’s a great character and seriously quick – has won races in the one-make series and funnily enough, I also know the car very well too!

“I’ve worked with race engineer Rob Courtneidge on and off over the last four years – so I’m very lucky to be coming into a very well-known entity. The Michelin tyres I also know from the China GT championship from last year, so I’m just hoping I can bring something to the table so that we can move things along as a team in this super-tough championship.”

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