Soulent and van Splunteren give Prospeed first 2011 win

Reigning FIA GT3 Team Champions Prospeed scored their first triumph of the 2011 campaign as the series visited French circuit Magny-Cours this weekend.

Starting from P4, Maxime Soulet made a strong start and picked off two rivals to hand the Porsche to Paul van Splunteren in second position. The Dutchman then caught and passed the LMP Aston Martin DBRS9 of Gael Lesoudier to secure not only their first win, but the team's first podium finish of the season.

"We were so disappointed that in the winter, the newer cars all had a step ahead. So, finally now with the little breaks we had in the balance of performance I think we’re there," said van Splunteren after taking the chequered flag. " I hope this will be a turnaround for the championship."

Lesoudier and Maxime took their third podium finish of the year but will ultimately be disappointed, having led for the majority of the race. The #33 WRT Audi of Greg Franchi and Enzo Ide completed the podium with a distant third after Franchi carved through the field from 14th on the grid.

Meanwhile championship leaders Francesco Castellacci and Federico Leo (AF Corse) recovered from a poor qualifying to take fourth at the flag. They now hold a four point advantage over Ide and Franchi.

Watch FIA GT3 on Motors TV


James Weeks