P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Hawksworth “knew it was going to be a battle” for GTD Pro win at Sebring
Hawksworth began the day in pole position in the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, but things took a downturn when he received a penalty and was sent to the rear of the field for accidentally hitting a crew member during a pit stop. Despite this setback, the team managed to progress steadily during the race. Hawksworth was entrusted with the final stint and the chance for redemption. In the intense closing stages of the race, a fierce battle unfolded between Hawksworth, Daniel Serra in the Ferrari 296 GT3, and Daniel Juncadella in the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3. With only 20 minutes remaining, Hawksworth made a daring move to overtake Serra and secured a narrow 0.121s victory. The triumph marked the team’s first win since Watkins Glen the previous July and the second endurance racing victory for Lexus. The victory was a significant rebound following a challenging start to the season at the Daytona 24 Hours in January. The win at Sebring served as a strong statement for the defending GTD Pro champions, Barnicoat and Hawksworth, who have achieved podium finishes in 14 out of 17 races since July 2022. The performance demonstrated the team’s championship qualities and set the season back on a positive trajectory.
