Following his return to the FIA World Endurance Championship podium, Miguel Molina heads to Silverstone for the penultimate round of the European Le Mans Series. Seven years after his last victorious visit to the British circuit, the Ferrari factory driver is preparing for a crucial race. Along with Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda, the Spaniard has a simple goal: to get the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3 as high up as possible to stay in the title race.
After a challenging return to action at Spa-Francorchamps, Miguel Molina was back on the podium on the international stage last weekend in Austin. The Spaniard has already made his way back to Europe and looks ahead to the next round of the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone.
Teaming up with Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda at the wheel of the #74 Ferrari 296 LMGT3, the Ferrari factory driver approaches this event with ambition and determination, ready to turn his Belgian frustration into another podium result: « We showed in Spa that we had the pace to fight among the leaders. Unfortunately, an incident compromised the final result, but the team continues to improve from one race to the next. Andrew and Fran did a great job, and it’s clear that we are heading in the right direction. The target now is to turn that speed into a strong result at Silverstone. »
This week, Silverstone returns to the European Le Mans Series calendar for the first time since 2019. One of motorsport’s historic birthplaces, the British circuit remains a reference track, with its 5.891 km layout combining long straights and fast sequences, such as Maggotts, Becketts, and Copse, which are as much feared as they are loved. This return has particular significance for Miguel Molina as he won at Silverstone seven years ago in a Ferrari 488 GTE.
« Racing at Silverstone is always something special. It’s one of the most historic tracks in the world, and I have found memories there, especially from my 2018 win with Ferrari. The track is extremely fast, technical, and demanding, so it really pushes you to the limit. »
Now he returns eager to repeat that significant achievement, this time in the highly competitive LMGT3 category. The Kessel Racing crew sits just outside the top ten in the LMGT3 general classification, but the gaps are small, and a solid performance at Silverstone could put them back in title contention.
« First of all, I hope I will have fully recovered from a small injury I had at Spa, but I feel ready to go again. Silverstone will be another busy weekend, but I’m motivated to fight at the sharp end. The goal is clear: to return to the top positions with Fran and Andy, who will be racing his home race, and to keep building on the progress we’ve made together. The LMGT3 class is wide-open this year. Four races, four different winners, and that shows how competitive the category is. We’re currently just outside the top ten, but the gaps are narrow, and a single strong result can change everything. With only one race after Silverstone, every single point counts. That’s why our focus has to be on being consistent and avoiding mistakes. »
Silverstone also offers a unique setting: a circuit where weather often plays a decisive role, and the forecast is calling for mixed conditions. With his experience, Miguel Molina knows that managing this element could be key.
« Austin last week was a good practice for rain, and as everyone knows, there is always a chance that the weather could play a role at Silverstone. If it happens, it will be tricky, but we’ll be ready. We need a clean race because we have the speed, and we know we can do a good job. And I feel we are ready to face those challenges again. »
The 44-car field, including 13 in the LMGT3 category, is in action from today for the first collective practice sessions, followed by two free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. Qualifying will take place on Saturday afternoon to determine the starting grid for the 4 Hours of Silverstone, which begins at noon local time on Sunday.
Blanca de Foronda,