Rollercoaster of Events for Emil Frey Racingat the Sprint Cup in Magny-Cours

📌 Fast Facts 📌

Emil Frey Racing experienced a turbulent race weekend: On Saturday, the #14 fought its way up to eighth place after a strong stint by Konsta Lappalainen and a solid final phase by Ben Green – collecting important points for the team. The #69 dropped back early on after an incident and ended up in 20th place.

On Sunday, Thierry Vermeulen was on course for a podium but received a time penalty. A puncture after contact set the #69 back even further (P26). The #14 fought its way back into the race after a slip-up but just missed out on the points in 14th place.

Race 1 – Saturday, 02nd August 2025
Konsta Lappalainen qualified the #14 Ferrari 296 GT3 in 15th place, while Chris Lulham in the sister car once again took pole position in the Gold Cup and ninth overall. All eyes were on the start of the first one-hour race, which began at dusk. The Finn got off to a strong start and made up five positions but had to drive defensively after the hairpin to avoid a collision, which dropped him back to 13th place. Englishman Chris Lulham was even more unlucky - when two cars spun in front of him, he had to wait and dropped to the back of the field.

While the number 69 came in early for the mandatory pitstop so that Thierry Vermeulen could take over, Konsta Lappalainen worked his way up to eighth place and found himself in the middle of an intense four-way battle. After a good pitstop and a gained position, it was up to Ben Green to bring the number 14 home in the dark. The Englishman initially fended off an attack from the #50 Ferrari but later lost seventh place to the #21 Aston Martin. While spectacular fireworks lit up the sky, Ben Green crossed the finishing line in eighth place in the #14 Ferrari and secured important points. The #69 finished in a disappointing 20^th place.

Race 2 – Sunday, 03rd August 2025 
After the chaotic Saturday race, all hopes were pinned on Sunday. With only two race weekends left in the season, it was crucial to score plenty of points. Ben Green started the second race from ninth place in the #14, while Thierry Vermeulen led the sister car into the race from third position after a strong qualifying.

Thierry Vermeulen got off to a good start and initially successfully fended off the attacks of the #32 BMW. However, when he gained a small advantage going through a chicane, he was promptly handed a five-second penalty. The Dutchman put in a strong performance at the end of his stint, before pitting and serving his penalty before the service. 

Chris Lulham in the #69 came under pressure from the #50 Ferrari shortly after the pitstop, which unfortunately touched him on the right rear - the result was a puncture and another pitstop, which dropped the #69 back to a disappointing 26th place. The #14 was a little bit luckier: Ben Green was able to rejoin the race after a brief excursion into the gravel. From 23rd place, the team made up ground lap by lap, and after the pitstop Konsta Lappalainen drove a solid stint. In the end, it was enough for 14th place – but just outside the points.

TEAM QUOTES - Emil Frey Racing
Lorenz Frey-Hilti, Team Principal 
"We had a very disappointing weekend with a lot of bad luck. Yesterday the spin directly in front of us, today the unfortunate contact - the pace was definitely there, but we couldn't convert it into good results. We lacked the necessary racing luck in Magny-Cours, but we have to look ahead and get the best out of the last two race weekends."

Jürg Flach, Technical Director 
"We continuously improved the cars over the weekend, and we were basically competitive in qualifying and the races. In the end, we were beaten in both races and couldn't score the points we deserved."

DRIVER QUOTES - Emil Frey Racing 
Thierry Vermeulen (The Netherlands)
"The team did a great job, and our race car ran really well, but I'm a bit lost for words that we're almost going home without any points. Yesterday, Chris couldn't do anything and today, unfortunately, I couldn't bring home the result after the good qualifying."

Chris Lulham (Great Britain)
"The races this weekend didn't seem to go our way. On the first lap on Saturday, I got stuck behind the #51 Ferrari, and today I had contact with the #50 Ferrari on my outlap, which immediately led to a puncture. The car was fast, and the crew did a great job on the pit stops again. So, I'm confident that things will soon change in our favour."

Ben Green (Great Britain)
“All in all, it was a very disappointing weekend for us, we had good pace and the car was running well, but we just didn't have luck on our side.”

Konsta Lappalainen (Finland)
"We had a very unfortunate weekend. The team gave us a car that was very fast, and we could have fought for a podium. But we were dogged by bad luck and are now hoping for the last two race weekends to show what we can do."