Aston Martin Racing takes dominant Laguna Seca win
Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Harold Primat led Aston Martin Racing to a three-lap victory at the six-hour American Le Mans Series race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Aston Martin Racing returned to the top step in the American Le Mans Series with a commanding win at the six-hour race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Gulf-liveried Lola-Aston Martin, driven by Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Harold Primat, finished three laps clear of its nearest rivals after a day-long battle with Dyson Racing’s Lola-Mazdas and the Muscle Milk Aston Martin entry.
The result marked an important turnaround for Aston Martin Racing after a challenging season with its new car. For Laguna Seca, the team reverted to its proven older chassis, which delivered both pace and reliability. Fernandez acknowledged the difficulties of the season but emphasised the satisfaction of returning to a car the team could trust to go the distance.
Competitive field and decisive moments
The Lola-Aston Martin trio faced strong competition from the Dyson Racing and Oryx Dyson Racing Lola-Mazdas, as well as the Muscle Milk Aston Martin squad. The race remained close until the final half hour, but the turning point came after three and a half hours when the Muscle Milk car was forced behind the wall for a fuel pump replacement. That retirement effectively handed Dyson Racing the unofficial P1 class title for the season.
For Fernandez and Primat, this was only their second race together in the car, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt quickly. The drivers stressed the quality of competition in the ALMS, with the Mazdas and Muscle Milk Aston Martin both pushing hard until mechanical issues intervened. The win sets up the team for the next round at Petit Le Mans, where they hope to build on this momentum.
Impact on the championship
Muscle Milk Aston Martin’s retirement at Laguna Seca had a direct impact on the championship picture. With their main rivals out, Dyson Racing’s P1 title was all but secured ahead of the season finale. For Aston Martin Racing, the victory provided a welcome boost after a year of setbacks and gave the team renewed confidence heading into the closing stages of the ALMS campaign.
The Laguna Seca result underlined the value of proven equipment in endurance racing, especially when new developments have yet to deliver consistent results. Aston Martin Racing’s decision to revert to its older car paid off with a clear victory, while the reliability issues that sidelined Muscle Milk’s entry proved decisive in the championship battle.
- Aston Martin Racing Lola-Aston Martin: 1st place, three laps ahead
- Dyson Racing Lola-Mazda: Closest competitor, P1 title unofficially secured
- Muscle Milk Aston Martin: Retired after fuel pump failure
