Jonny Edgar Shines in Le Mans Debut

Jonny Edgar, one of Cumbria’s brightest motorsport talents, delivered an impressive performance in his maiden 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing seventh in the LMGT3 category alongside FIA World Endurance Championship teammates Ben Keating and Dani Juncadella.

The legendary event began a week prior to race day, with the traditional scrutineering in the heart of Le Mans. Jonny embraced the atmosphere, signing autographs for fans, engaging with global media, and joining his teammates for the official team photo, a true taste of the Le Mans spectacle.

Track action kicked off on Sunday, as the team set about dialing in their #33 Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the 13.6km Circuit de la Sarthe, a unique blend of permanent track and public roads, including the iconic Mulsanne Straight. For Jonny, a BRDC Superstar, it was all about learning the legendary circuit and preparing for the challenge ahead.

Wednesday featured two practice sessions and round one of qualifying, with Ben Keating at the wheel. While the team ran smoothly in practice, qualifying proved tough, Keating missed out on the top 12, and a pit lane speeding infringement meant all lap times were deleted. The team was relegated to 60th on the grid and missed the second practice session as mechanics worked on the car, delaying Jonny’s mandatory night laps.

Thursday saw the team back on track, working through setups and building confidence for the race. Jonny completed his required five night laps, ensuring he was eligible to compete in the world’s greatest endurance race.

After a rest day and the famous Drivers’ Parade through Le Mans city, Jonny and the TF Sport team lined up for the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, cheered on by a crowd of 332,000. Ben Keating took the start in dry conditions, moving up to 12th in class before handing over to Dani Juncadella. Jonny soon jumped in for his first Le Mans race stint, keeping the car #33 entry in the top 15 as night fell. A faulty wheel nut during a routine pit stop sent the car to the garage, costing valuable time, but the team pressed on with determination.

Through the night and into Sunday, Jonny and Dani alternated stints, steadily climbing the order. Consistent driving and a drama-free run saw the team break into the top 10, ultimately crossing the line in seventh in the LMGT3 category and collecting a valuable 16 championship points, thanks to Le Mans’ double-points system.

Jonny: “This whole experience has been incredible. From start to finish, it’s been very surreal but very enjoyable. Of course as a team we would have loved to have finished higher up in the classification but even to just finish this race is a massive achievement. I felt very honoured to be one of the drivers who got to compete in this great race and to also enjoy this special event. From scrutineering in town and the drivers parade to every lap on track, it’s been a joy.

I’m so grateful for the team’s hard work and I’m happy that the sister car was able to make it onto the podium in LMGT3 and to see Spike, the AO Racing entry in LMP2, win their class with their drivers, my European Le Mans Series (ELMS) teammates Louis Delertraz, PJ Hyett and Dane Cameron.

I’ve also got to say a huge congratulations to Robert Kubica, who shared the LMP2 AO Racing with TF Sport car last year in the ELMS, on winning the race overall. We all know Robert’s story and it’s amazing to see him get such a result – he deserves it.”

There’s little time to rest as this weekend, Jonny Edgar will return to America for the third round of the IMSA Endurance Cup at Watkins Glen, New York for the “6 Hours of The Glen”. It marks his return to the LMP2 car for the first time since Sebring in March, teaming up with PJ Hyett and Dane Cameron as they chase their first podium of the season. Fans can catch all the action live on the championship’s YouTube channel.