Deletraz: WTRAndretti Acura in “Better Window” at Sebring

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Louis Deletraz believes the Acura ARX-06 is in a “better window” this weekend at Sebring International Raceway compared to January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona where the GTP contender was bogged down with additional weight.

The Acura GTP class prototype has received a 17 kg (37-pound) weight break since the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener, in one of the biggest Balance of Performance swings from Daytona that’s also included an 8 kW (11 hp) power reduction for the car.

Speaking to Sportscar365 following opening practice on Thursday, where Deletraz set the fifth quickest time, one position behind teammate Ricky Taylor in the No. 10 Acura, the Swiss driver was optimistic on their chances.

“I think it’s good,” Deletraz told Sportscar365. “We were out of the window in Daytona. The tires were not working with that weight and struggled.

“It feels better here. I think we’re in a better window but the track is very hot and we’re sliding with low grip, so I think we need to still keep working, stay focused, and see what the other do.”

While stressing that it’s early days into the Sebring event, Deletraz believes the pre-event BoP changes are in the right direction to put both Acuras in with a chance to win.

Deletraz is sharing the No. 40 Acura with fellow full season co-driver Jordan Taylor and NTT IndyCar Series ace Colton Herta this weekend following a third place finish at Daytona with Jenson Button as its fourth driver.

“On our side, less weight is always going to be better,” Deletraz added. “We also have less power; I think it’s fair. In the end we will see in the race. But it feels fair.”

Team co-owner Wayne Taylor echoed Deletraz’s sentiments about the performance of the Acura.

“They basically brought the BoP back to where it should be, so I think, I think at least now it can go and be like we can race for a win rather than just race to be there,” Taylor told Sportscar365.

“I have to say, IMSA did a fantastic job last year. I was certainly happy about the way they handled BoP.

“It was just little tweaks here and there, but when we got to January and that change came, I thought, ‘Oh God, are we not going back into this bad situation again?’

“And I think everybody goes around the table and I think maybe they made the right decision for now. So yeah, I’m looking forward to right now.”

Taylor said the expanded two-car GTP team will be taking a two-pronged attack this weekend given the No. 10 Acura’s retirement at Daytona.

“Our approach is going to be the 40 car [which], clearly has good points the 10 car has no points,” he explained.

“So we’ve got to protect the 40 car. And then at the same time we might take some risks on the 10 car just to get lots of points, but we’ll see how it comes out after practice. We’ll see where we stand.”

Jonathan Grace contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John