EDGE Management driver Mikey Porter produced an impressive recovery from race one disappointment to secure a hard-earned Silver Cup podium during the latest round of the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS at the French circuit of Magny-Cours. Driving the No. 5 Optimum Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo alongside teammate Guilherme Oliveira, Porter combined a mature opening stint with a perfectly judged team strategy to help claim second place in the Silver Cup class.
Following an unfortunate retirement in the opening race of the weekend, Sunday’s contest represented an opportunity for Porter and Optimum Motorsport to bounce back and salvage a strong points haul from the French event. Qualifying fifth in the highly competitive Silver Cup class, the team knew they would need to maximise every opportunity during the one-hour sprint race.
Porter took the start and immediately found himself in the thick of an intense opening phase, with the tightly packed GT3 field battling wheel-to-wheel through the opening corners. Despite the hectic conditions, the EDGE Sporting Management driver kept the McLaren clear of trouble, avoiding the incidents that unfolded around him while making early progress through the order.
After just a handful of laps, Porter had climbed to fourth in the Silver Cup category and 22nd overall, before settling into a strong rhythm as he negotiated heavy multi-class traffic. Displaying impressive consistency, he maintained his position while ensuring the McLaren remained in excellent condition ahead of the crucial pit stop phase.
The complexion of the race changed dramatically with 36 minutes remaining when a Bronze Cup Ferrari left the circuit, scattering debris across the track and damaging the tyre barriers. A full course yellow was immediately deployed before race officials were forced to suspend the race with a red flag to allow extensive repairs to be completed.
Following a lengthy delay in soaring temperatures, drivers were able to climb from their cars and rehydrate before the race eventually resumed behind the safety car. With the mandatory pit window opening shortly afterwards in two staggered five-minute periods, Optimum Motorsport faced a key strategic decision.
Rather than diving into the pits at the first available opportunity, the team elected to leave Porter on circuit for an additional lap while many of their Silver Cup rivals completed their driver changes. The decision proved inspired, allowing the No. 5 McLaren to avoid the busiest period in pit lane before handing over to Oliveira in clean air.
Although Oliveira initially rejoined fourth in the Silver Cup order, the strategy continued to pay dividends as the remaining pit stops cycled through. Once every car had completed its mandatory stop, the Optimum Motorsport McLaren had climbed to second in the Silver Cup class and 13th overall.
From there, Oliveira brought the car safely home to complete an outstanding recovery from Saturday’s disappointment, securing second place in class and finishing as the highest-placed McLaren in the Silver Cup entry.
Reflecting on the weekend, Porter praised the entire Optimum Motorsport team for delivering a competitive package and making the decisive strategic call that transformed their race.
“We’re really pleased to come away with a podium after the disappointment of race one,” said Porter. “It was an incredibly competitive and physical race, especially in the heat, and with the field so tightly packed it really felt like a sprint from start to finish. The team did a fantastic job preparing the car and made exactly the right strategy call at the pit stop, so a huge thank you to everyone at Optimum Motorsport. I’d also like to thank EDGE Sporting Management for their continued support throughout my career.”
The podium marks another encouraging milestone for Optimum Motorsport during its first full GT World Challenge Europe campaign and provides valuable momentum for Porter and Oliveira as they head into the second half of the season.
Results – Q – P5 (Silver Cup) / Race 1 -DNF / Race 2 – P2 (Silver cup)