Despite several retirements over the course of the season so far, there have been promising signs of late coming from the ByKolles team.
There has been genuine pace but reliability has been a downfall of the LMP1 privateer team with several untimely mechanical failures.
However, there has been a feeling that the tide is changing at the German outfit and last weekend in China cemented this view.
Oliver Webb, Simon Trummer and Pierre Kaffer emerged from the six hours of China with a win in the privateer class on a momentous day in Shanghai.
The mood was good following practice where Webb, from Knutsford, put the CLM-AER P1/01 ahead of the Rebellion car, however, qualifying put Webb behind their close rival.
Webb, being the quickest ByKolles driver in qualifying, started the race on old tyres in a clear strategy move. After a good first stint he swapped for Kaffer before Trummer pushed further into the race.
Webb took over before Simon Trummer brought the car home for a trouble free race and for once, some luck on their side.
The Bykolles machine did experience some overheating but in the end, it did not affect the outcome with a well-deserved and long overdue victory. The Team can now look ahead to the season finale in Bahrain with renewed confidence.
Speaking after the race, Webb said: “I’m so pleased for everyone at the team, we’ve worked so hard this year and have been on the receiving end of plenty of bad luck and everyone knows the challenges we’ve had with reliability.
“To finish here, and take the win is a major boost heading into the final round. It felt great to be back up there spraying the champagne. Thank you to everyone that has been so supportive so far this year and a massive thanks to the team, a top effort”.
