Manthey PureRxcing’s Masterclass: Clinching the LMGT3 Crown at Fuji
The world of endurance racing never fails to deliver heart-pounding action, and the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season has been no exception. As the dust settled on the 6 Hours of Fuji, one team stood tall above the rest in the LMGT3 class – Manthey PureRxcing.
I’ve been covering motorsport for longer than I care to admit, but witnessing the #92 Porsche crew of Klaus Bachler, Joel Sturm, and Alessio Picariello clinch the title with a race to spare was something special. Their journey to the top step of the podium wasn’t just about raw speed; it was a masterclass in strategy, teamwork, and resilience.
A Dream Realized
When I caught up with the trio after the race, the elation was palpable. Bachler, his eyes still sparkling with the thrill of victory, couldn’t contain his excitement:
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in my racing career,” he gushed. “For me, it’s really a dream which came true. I had this goal this year to win the championship together with these two gentlemen on my left. I gave everything for this.”
It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with this sport. The raw emotion, the culmination of countless hours of hard work and sacrifice – it’s what makes endurance racing so captivating.
The Fuji Rollercoaster
The race itself was a nail-biter from start to finish. Starting from 14th on the grid, the Manthey PureRxcing crew faced an uphill battle. But as any seasoned endurance racing fan knows, it’s not where you start, but where you finish that counts.
Bachler walked me through their incredible climb up the order:
“Alex had a good start, passing two cars in the first lap. Our team really decided to make a different strategy. I like strategy, and I’m always thinking about what we can do, but I don’t say anything because we have a team for this and engineers who are for sure better than me.”
It was this strategic masterstroke that saw them vault up the order. A longer stint for Picariello, coupled with perfectly timed safety car periods, saw them fighting at the sharp end of the field in the closing stages.
“After the virtual safety car, there was also a safety car, so everybody was together. The difference was just that we were in P1 at this time, so others had to pass us first,” Bachler explained.
A Team Effort
As impressive as the drivers were behind the wheel, it was clear that this championship was won by the entire Manthey PureRxcing outfit. Sturm was quick to praise the efforts of everyone involved:
“It’s just a great team. Everyone did such an amazing job the whole year, and especially now, we stick together. We brought it home one race earlier, so I think there’s nothing more to say really. It’s just an amazing group of people.”
This sentiment was echoed by Picariello, who highlighted the team’s early commitment to the championship:
“We committed to this championship pretty early. I think we built the driver lineup much earlier than other teams, and we decided okay, we fight for the title. It was a clear goal we discussed a lot before the season, before the first race.”
Overcoming Adversity
No championship campaign is without its challenges, and Manthey PureRxcing’s journey was no exception. The team faced a major setback at Le Mans, with a gearbox issue threatening to derail their title hopes.
“It was tough for us and a big test for our mindset,” Picariello admitted. “We discussed it internally that okay, it’s a proper test for us – are we ready for the title or not? But we managed it, and a lot of luck came back to us, especially with the safety car today.”
Looking Ahead
With the championship secured, you might think the team would be content to cruise to the finish line in Bahrain. But these guys are racers through and through, and the hunger for more success is evident.
“Now we can also fight for victory and fight with the others in Bahrain,” Bachler grinned. “That’s very good, and I’m really happy about this.”
As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey this team has been on. From early-season promise to mid-season adversity and ultimately, championship glory. It’s stories like these that keep me coming back to the paddock year after year.
Will we see Manthey PureRxcing back on the top step in Bahrain? If their performance at Fuji is anything to go by, I wouldn’t bet against it. One thing’s for sure – I’ll be there, notebook in hand, ready to chronicle the next chapter in this thrilling LMGT3 saga.
