The 2025 European Le Mans Series season concluded last weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. For Miguel Molina, Fran Rueda and Andrew Gilbert, round six marked the end of a frustrating but rewarding campaign with Kessel Racing. After the 4 Hours of Portimão, the #74 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 finished just outside the top ten on the biggest European stage.
A few days after competing in Petit Le Mans, the final round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Road Atlanta, Miguel Molina headed back across the Atlantic to wrap up his European campaign.
On Wednesday, the Ferrari factory driver was hard at work with his teammates Fran Rueda and Andrew Gilbert. The crew conducted thorough testing to demonstrate the competitiveness of the Ferrari 296 LMGT3, but qualifying did not go to plan for the Kessel Racing trio, with Andrew Gilbert settling for tenth place.
Andrew Gilbert got off to a great start on Saturday, gaining three positions to move up to seventh place. The Briton was on the attack and even took the lead thanks to a strategic gamble during a safety car period. However, Fran Rueda could not capitalise on this, as the crew received a drive-through penalty for exceeding track limits. Relegated to eleventh place, the Spaniard made a strong effort to make up ground before handing over to Miguel Molina.
The Catalan driver was 13th when he took to the track and immediately got stuck into the battle for the final 50 minutes. Despite heavy traffic and numerous blue flags, the ROGO Motorsport Agency founder’s offensive paid off as he gained two positions to finish just outside the points. Unfortunately, a second penalty post-race relegated the trio to 12th place.
« It was quite a hectic race with a frustrating result, » explains Miguel Molina. « We were fast, and at one point, we even led thanks to an excellent strategy call. Unfortunately, the penalties cost us time. We hoped for a better end to the season, but I’m pleased with how we worked as a team. We kept fighting until the end and showed strong teamwork all weekend. »
This last race concluded a particularly intense and competitive season on the European LMGT3 scene. With a podium finish at Imola, Kessel Racing and its trio demonstrated steady progress throughout a year that ended just outside the European top ten.
« It’s been a challenging year overall, » acknowledges Miguel Molina. « We didn’t get the desired results, but I enjoyed the experience with Fran and Andrew. I tried to help as much as possible, especially to guide Andrew in his first European Le Mans Series campaign, and to keep learning as a team. It was also special to share the car with Fran because we’ve known each other for a long time and trust each other a lot. The entire Kessel Racing family made me feel right at home again. My last race with them was the 2018 Gulf 12 Hours, where we won together, so it was great to return and share another season. Overall, it was a very positive year on the human side. The atmosphere was excellent, and we stayed united and focused even when results were not perfect. »
The Spanish driver is now preparing to return to the FIA World Endurance Championship for the season’s final race of the year, the 8 Hours of Bahrain (6-8 November). Teaming up with Antonio Fuoco and Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 Ferrari – AF Corse Ferrari 499P, he will look to secure the world manufacturers’ title for the Prancing Horse.
« Now it’s time to switch focus to Bahrain, » he concludes. « I’m really looking forward to it. The goal is clear: finish the FIA WEC season as strongly as possible and help Ferrari secure the Manufacturers’ title. That would be the perfect way to end the season. »
4 Hours of Portimão – LMGT3 : 1. TF Sport #82 124 laps ; 2. United Autosports #23 +0.364s ; 3. Iron Dames #85 +4.175s… 12. Kessel Racing #74 + 2 laps…
European Le Mans Series – LMGT3 : 1. TF Sport #82 78 points ; 2. Richard Mille AF Corse #50 70 points ; 3. Racing Spirit of Leman #59 64 points… 11. Kessel Racing #74 27 points…
Blanca de Foronda,