McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Q - P3

A storming qualifying lap from Gabriel Erdelyi around a chilly Fuji Speedway ensured a second-row start for the #13 machine in a highly competitive field - the top 18 covered by half a second in qualifying. In amongst the chaos of the opening laps, the #13 found itself shuffled down to 8th with damage to the rear diffuser, but Erdelyi clung onto the back of the pack and pushed on; consistently quick. Fuel saving was the order of the day, with both Erdelyi and teammate Alessandro Lao extending the range of the McLaren throughout the next 6 hours. As the race drew to a close, it was clear the strategy had worked, and the team’s sight was now set on 4th place - the battle was on. But heartbreakingly, with little over an hour left, Lao clipped a sausage kerb, damaging the car to the extent of 1.5s per lap. Despite his best efforts, the damage proved too much to keep up with those around, and the #13 dropped to 11th by the flag. Despite the result, the #13 cemented itself as one of the fastest crews around the Fuji Speedway, and both Erdelyi and Lao will look to build on this result for their upcoming races.