Hot on the heels of her first European Le Mans Series podium, Belén García gets back behind the wheel at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari this week. With teammates Wyatt Brichacek and Alexander Mattschull in the DKR Engineering #4 car, the Spanish driver will aim to finish the first half of the season on a high.
Fifth in the season opener at her home circuit in Barcelona, Belén García and her teammates have been on the rise in the European Le Mans Series, scoring their maiden podium finish a few weeks later with second place at Circuit Paul Ricard. Finishing less than four seconds adrift of the winners, the L’Ametlla del Vallès native is hungrier than ever for success while remaining humble as the next round approaches.
« Fighting consistently for podiums is among our goals this season, and we finished runner-up in just our second race », explains Belén. « We got our podium, but we’re not taking anything for granted. Our gamble with the strategy and team spirit led us to get it on merit. It might not have been how I would have wished with my limited driving time in France, but the result has boosted the team’s morale. We are not about to rest on our laurels; we know we can do even better and fight for more. We have been working hard with the team. When the competition is so stiff and close, it all comes down to details and marginal gains. For instance, we know we still have some work to do on driver changes, given the height differences within our line-up. It’s been a recurring topic since the first race, but we can improve it and find a solution if we keep pushing individually in our roles and together as a team. »
The first woman to stand on an LMP3 podium in Europe’s leading endurance series, Belén García now heads to the legendary Imola circuit, a track she first experienced in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2021.
Located in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region, Imola is best known for hosting 31 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 1980 and 2024. The fast and narrow 4,909-metre-long circuit provides competitors with some unique challenges. One of the few counter-clockwise tracks on the calendar, Imola features several heavy braking zones that test the drivers’ mettle. On an old-school layout where mistakes are rarely forgiven, the emphasis is put on traffic management to maintain a consistent race pace.
« I like Imola for its track, its challenges and its atmosphere », says the RACC Mobility Club-supported driver. « It’s quite aggressive with its kerbs and all kind of stuff that leaves little room for error. I felt very confident there for my first FRECA race weekend back in 2021 and I remember it being a positive experience. I want this same feeling this week to take another step forward and keep improving. It has been a long while since the last race, so I can’t wait to be back there. I am excited about this week. We want to fight for more, and the entire team is on the same page. We will give it all to get better at everything. »
Despite a two-month break, Belén García has had a busy schedule in parallel with her European Le Mans Series programme and her exams as part of her studies in telematics. Already selected for the second time by the Real Federación Española de Automovilismo to represent Spain in Karting Endurance at the FIA Motorsport Games, she also joined the TV3 team at the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix for an unprecedented experience in a new world.
« Between the races, everything goes back to routine, so I have been training four days a week while working with my psychologist and everyone at the Centre d’Alt Rendiment de Sant Cugat del Vallès », confides the 24-year-old driver. « Now, it’s like a habit, and I stick to it no matter what, although June has been a bit different with the Spanish GP. I had the opportunity to do some different stuff with TV3. It was challenging but a great experience, and I will get back behind the wheel with renewed energy and enthusiasm. »
Belén García will be back in action with Wyatt Brichacek and Alexander Mattschull from Thursday for the weekend’s first test sessions in Italy. The trio aligned by the Kendy Janclaes-led outfit will continue their work on Friday and Saturday morning before LMP3 qualifying from 3 pm. The DKR Engineering Duqueine #4 will start the 4 Hours of Imola on Sunday at 11:30 am.