Fate was not on Proton Competition\u2019s side at the first round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. A technical issue cost the team a promising position in the LMGT3 category at the Qatar 1812km. Among the highlights of the season-opener were the performances of the team\u2019s debutant drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The #77 Proton Competition Ford Mustang LMGT3 was one of the stars of the race\u2019s opening stages in the hands of Bernardo Sousa and Ben Tuck, both of whom were making their maiden FIA WEC appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bronze driver Sousa drove the opening stint \u2013 starting from 16th on the grid \u2013 and managed to keep in touch with the leading pack in spite of multiple safety car and full course yellow periods. Ben Tuck then took over the car and made his way past multiple competitors to emerge in the lead in class, a position he held for the best part of an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, just as Sousa\u2019s driving time was coming to an end, the Ford Mustang LMGT3 came to a standstill on the start-finish straight due to a technical issue and was unable to continue. \u201cBernardo made a great start, and everything was going really smoothly,\u201d said Ben Tuck. \u201cI really enjoyed my double stint and managed to make some overtakes. I\u2019m just sad for the team, as they did such a brilliant job getting the car ready for the race.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n