2 Seas claim record victory!

TDT | Manama                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini-British motor racing team 2 Seas Motorsport claimed a superb, record-equalling victory yesterday in round seven of the 2023 Intelligent Money British GT Championship, being held at Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal.

The crew of James Cottingham and Jonny Adam steered 2 Seas’ #4 Mercedes AMG-GT3 car to first place after a gruelling three-hour race and despite a 15-second success penalty.

The result earned Adam his 19th career British GT victory, drawing him level with fellow-Briton Phil Keen, who was driving the 2 Seas’ #1 Mercedes AMG-GT3 contender yesterday.

2 Seas, co-owned by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, claimed their fourth win of the season—third for the tandem of Cottingham and Adam. It added to their successes in round one at Oulton Park and round four in Donington Park.

2 Seas’ Ian Loggie and Jules Gounon triumphed the other time in the championship’s second round, also at Oulton Park. “I am delighted, to come here and win is super rare and really hard to do; so pleased,” Cottingham said after completing his driving duties to finish the race by taking the chequered flag.

“A big thank you to all who supported us and of course our team, who have done a mega job this weekend. Jonny did a perfect job keeping the car out of trouble and keeping it in the right position.”

Adam added: “The car felt really good in the race. The team have done a great job all weekend. James’s stint was superb. This is great for the championship.” 2 Seas extended their lead in the GT3 Teams Championship with their win, as did Cottingham and Adam in both the GT3 Drivers Championship and the GT3 Pro-Am standings.

Cottingham and Adam led home Optimum Motorsport’s Mark Radcliffe and Rob Bell, with Barwell Motorsport’s Sandy Mitchell and Shaun Balfe in third overall. Two Safety Car periods in the first half-hour prompted the majority of teams to make two of their three mandatory driver changes earlier than expected.

Cottingham and Adam started from second on the grid, but after a long fight for the lead in the middle of the race with RAM Racing’s John Ferguson, Cottingham finally powered to the front. 2 Seas teammates Loggie and Keen in the team’s other car finished sixth overall.

They fought back from a drive-through penalty to claim important championship points. The 2023 British GT campaign features nine rounds in all. The Algarve race marked the season’s only event held outside of the UK.

The championship will next race at Brands Hatch on September 9 and 10, and then at Donington Park for the season-finale on October 21 and 22.