Proton Huber Team Manager Killed in Paddock Accident

An accident during setup for the Michelin Le Mans Cup season opener at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has resulted in the death of Proton Huber Competition team manager Gerhard Freundorfer, the series has confirmed.

A statement released on Tuesday by the European Le Mans Series, of which the Le Mans Cup forms part of the support package, outlined that Freundorfer fell victim to a fatal accident with the team truck that morning.

It further adds: “He was quickly attended by the circuit medical staff but, unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.”

Additional details have not been made public by the series organizer.

The German squad, a joint effort between Proton Competition and Porsche single make stalwarts Huber Racing, have a single Porsche 911 GT3 R entered for Joerg Dreisow and Manuel Lauck as part of the nine-car LMGT3 grid for this weekend’s 110-minute race.

Proton, meanwhile, has entered three cars in this weekend’s 4 Hours of Barcelona as well.

LMEM CEO Frederic Lequien and ACO president Pierre Fillon both paid their respects in the wake of the accident.

“On behalf of the whole endurance family I would like to extend all of our deepest condolences to the family of Gerhard Freundorfer, especially to his wife Karola, and the Proton Huber Competition team,” said Lequien.

“This is a very sad day for the endurance family.”

Added Fillon: “This morning we woke to the news of the death of Gerhard Freundorfer, which has saddened everyone involved in endurance racing.

“Gerhard was a member of the endurance family, and he will be sadly missed by all.

“I wish to extend the condolences of everyone at the ACO to Gerhard’s family and friends.”