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TF SPORT KICKS OFF THE 2026 FIA WEC SEASON WITH A STRONG PODIUM FINISH AT THE 6 HOURS OF IMOLA
During the podium ceremony at the 6 Hours of Imola, it wasn’t just raindrops that fell: for TF Sport, there were also drops of champagne. The team ended the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season opener in style, with the #33 Corvette Z06 GT3.R crossing the finish line just a few inches away from the LMGT3 class winner.
The gold-yellow Vette, driven by Blake McDonald, Jonny Edgar and Nicky Catsburg, put in an incredible comeback. Starting from 14th on the grid, the #33 Z06 GT3.R showed excellent race pace right from the start of the 6 Hours of Imola. The teamwork between the three drivers was as impressive as the car’s speed: McDonald – making his debut in the World Endurance Championship – fought his way through the field to reach the top five, Edgar battled fiercely with its rival for first place and Catsburg gave his all in pursuit of the BMW that ultimately won the race in the LMGT3 class. This positive second-place finish could have been even more satisfying if it hadn’t been for a slow final pit stop: unfortunately, a few precious seconds were lost in the pit lane, thus preventing the team from securing what would have been a well-deserved victory for the entire team.
For the #34 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, on the other hand, it was not the race the team had hoped for. The dark red TF Sport Vette, driven by Salih Yoluç, Peter Dempsey and Charlie Eastwood was hampered by a technical issue that forced the car into the garage with around an hour remaining. It was a shame, as the #34 Z06 GT3.R was also lapping at a very fast pace around the Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari of Imola. Yoluç and Dempsey were battling for a podium place but, during the final stint of the race, Eastwood had to cope with an electrical hiccup that forced the car to lose time and settle for 16th place.
As things stand, the #33 Vette and its crew are in 2nd place in both the Teams’ and Drivers’ championships, whilst its sister car with #34 is in 16th place in both standings. Now it is time for the whole team to regroup ahead of the next round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship: the 6 Hours of Spa, scheduled for the weekend of 9 May, awaits.
The gold-yellow Vette, driven by Blake McDonald, Jonny Edgar and Nicky Catsburg, put in an incredible comeback. Starting from 14th on the grid, the #33 Z06 GT3.R showed excellent race pace right from the start of the 6 Hours of Imola. The teamwork between the three drivers was as impressive as the car’s speed: McDonald – making his debut in the World Endurance Championship – fought his way through the field to reach the top five, Edgar battled fiercely with its rival for first place and Catsburg gave his all in pursuit of the BMW that ultimately won the race in the LMGT3 class. This positive second-place finish could have been even more satisfying if it hadn’t been for a slow final pit stop: unfortunately, a few precious seconds were lost in the pit lane, thus preventing the team from securing what would have been a well-deserved victory for the entire team.
For the #34 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, on the other hand, it was not the race the team had hoped for. The dark red TF Sport Vette, driven by Salih Yoluç, Peter Dempsey and Charlie Eastwood was hampered by a technical issue that forced the car into the garage with around an hour remaining. It was a shame, as the #34 Z06 GT3.R was also lapping at a very fast pace around the Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari of Imola. Yoluç and Dempsey were battling for a podium place but, during the final stint of the race, Eastwood had to cope with an electrical hiccup that forced the car to lose time and settle for 16th place.
As things stand, the #33 Vette and its crew are in 2nd place in both the Teams’ and Drivers’ championships, whilst its sister car with #34 is in 16th place in both standings. Now it is time for the whole team to regroup ahead of the next round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship: the 6 Hours of Spa, scheduled for the weekend of 9 May, awaits.
