Fleming “Felt Like a Rock Star” On “Crazy” Double Duty Weekend

Garage 59 McLaren driver Tom Fleming joked he “felt like a rock star” after scoring a Barcelona FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 podium having had just two hours’ sleep amid a “crazy” weekend of contesting two series.

Fleming was one of only four drivers combining WEC duties with also competing in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS finale at Portimao.

He narrowly missed out on the combined Gold Cup title at Portimao on Saturday, having admitted the “odds were really stacked against us” as he sought to claim the class lead in the closing stages of the race.

His pursuit of the leading Selected Car Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo ended in disappointment as Fleming picked up damage from striking a curb, only for his car to later be disqualified for running outside its Balance of Performance requirements.

But then Fleming’s flight from Faro to Barcelona was delayed due to thunderstorms so he only arrived at his Spanish hotel at 6 a.m. CEST on Sunday morning ahead of the WEC contest.

“I was supposed to land at Barcelona airport at about 1:30 a.m. but, because of the weather, we got diverted to Marbella, spent 90 minutes in Marbella, then got back on the plane and flew back into Barcelona once the weather had cleared,” Fleming told Sportscar365.

“I landed in my hotel at 6 a.m., had two hours’ worth of sleep and back straight to the circuit. It was a big task and a big challenge for me to get back out there today.”

Despite missing the first two Barcelona practice sessions because of his Portimao duties, Fleming had put the No. 10 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo on class pole.

“Even the out-lap preparing my tires, I was still adjusting to how the Goodyear feels versus the Pirelli (used in GTWC Europe),” he said.

“They’re the same car but what you need to do to get the car in the window is very different.

“I was very happy with the fact I managed to pull out a lap good enough for pole while still not feeling comfortable.”

The No. 10 McLaren’s FIA-rated Bronze driver Antares Au led initially before slipping back in the opening hour and then a puncture picked up while Fleming was battling the No. 88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3 EVO — after what the Briton described as “unnecessary contact” — compromised the crew’s race.

Fleming then charged back up the order before stablemate Marvin Kirchhoefer eventually secured second with around ten minutes to go after passing the No. 69 WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Of the puncture, Fleming said: “I’m not going to say it cost us the win, but it cost us the chance because then we were stuck behind the No. 69.

“While the Porsche (No. 92 Manthey car that dominated) were out in front managing, we were trying to pick up the pieces and try to get back in the fight, so we were in a very different race today.

“We got quite lucky with the Virtual Safety Car and that completely re-transformed our race.

“Overall, I really enjoyed it — car was really quick, the team did an amazing job, Marvin and Antares also.”

Reflecting on his hectic double-duty weekend, Fleming concluded: “A really enjoyable experience, I could’ve done with a bit more sleep, but I would do it again.”