Miguel Molina was back behind the wheel of the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3 this weekend for the penultimate round of the European Le Mans Series. The Spaniard faced dreadful conditions for the championship’s return to Silverstone. Despite scoring more points, the Ferrari factory driver and his teammates Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda were left disappointed after a race marked by three red flag stoppages and prematurely halted.
Just a few days after his podium finish in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Miguel Molina headed to Silverstone for the penultimate round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series season. Along with Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda, the Spanish driver tackled this crucial race with a clear target: to achieve a solid result to remain in contention for the LMGT3 title.
Back on the calendar for the first time since 2019, the British track welcomed the competitors in mixed conditions. Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda completed 25 laps in the first practice session on Thursday morning before Miguel Molina joined them in the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3. Together, the trio covered an additional 131 laps to gather information.
Andrew Gilbert then took on the qualifying challenge on his home turf on Saturday afternoon. On a drying track, the Brit aborted his first flying lap to be the first to put on slick tyres. With only three laps to get his tyres up to temperature and make the crossover, the Bronze driver climbed into the top half of the field to take sixth place on the starting grid.
Race organisers brought forward the race by an hour due to the risk of showers in the afternoon. At 11 am, Andrew Gilbert got the trio’s efforts underway by holding sixth place before slipping to eighth in a lively start to the race throughout the field. The #74 Kessel quickly regained sixth position when strategies diverged during the first safety car period, and the Briton then gained a position before two successive red flag stoppages.
When the race resumed behind the safety car, Andrew Gilbert made his first pit stop and rejoined the track in tenth place after being held up by the red light at the pit exit. Seventh at half distance, he handed over to Fran Rueda as it began to rain. Clean in increasingly tricky conditions, the Spaniard switched to rain tyres halfway through his stint and kept the crew in seventh place before handing over to Miguel Molina with 52 minutes to go.
Ninth coming out of the pits, the Ferrari factory driver set his pace. Lonely in the field, Miguel Molina moved up the order as the strategies converged, settling into seventh place when a full-course yellow further reduced his chances of making further progress. With the return of the rain, the race became more about survival, and the race directors decided to end the proceedings eight minutes early.
« It was quite a peculiar race, with a lot of red flags and some very aggressive moves from the LMP2s, a bit too much for the level of this championship and it created a few big incidents. The turning point for us was maybe during the safety car period. We stopped one lap too late, and with the pit exit closed, we lost the chance to fight at the sharp end, as we were at the other side of the track when the race resumed. From then on, the gaps were very unusual. At some point, we were either 30 seconds ahead or 40 behind or the other way around, so it was difficult to get into the rhythm. Again, I believe we had the potential for a strong result, but this time we couldn’t show it. Portimão is now the focus, which I really enjoy. After Fuji, I’m looking forward to that race and, with the team, ready to give everything I’ve got. »
Despite scoring six new points, Miguel Molina and his teammates are no longer in contention for the title with the #74 Kessel Racing. Nevertheless, the trio will aim to end their European campaign on a high at the 4 Hours of Portimão season finale (16-18 October). Until then, Miguel Molina will return to the #50 Ferrari – AF Corse Ferrari 499P to help the Prancing Horse seal the FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers’ title at the 6 Hours of Fuji (26-28 September).
4 Hours of Silverstone – LMGT3 : 1. Richard Mille AF Corse #50 97 laps ; 2. GR Racing #86 +0.223s ; 3. TF Sport #82 +40.929s… 7. Kessel Racing #74 + 1 lap…
European Le Mans Series – LMGT3 : 1. Richard Mille AF Corse #50 66 points ; 2. Racing Spirit of Leman #59 54 points ; 3. TF Sport #82 52 points… 11. Kessel Racing #74 27 points…
Blanca de Foronda,