Jack Hawksworth secured pole position in the GTD PRO class at Laguna Seca in a session defined by both competitiveness and emotion, driving the Lexus RC F GT3 for Vasser Sullivan Racing. The British driver set a best lap of 1:21.228, topping a tightly contested qualifying session in Round 4 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
In a special “Throwback Weekend” atmosphere celebrating motorsport heritage, Hawksworth stood out in a highly competitive field, with seven different manufacturers represented in the top seven positions. The pole marks his second consecutive top qualifying result, tying a historic series record and reinforcing his status as a key contender in the category.
A pole with deep meaning
Beyond the sporting achievement, this pole carried emotional weight following the news of the passing of Alex Zanardi, a legendary figure in motorsport and former teammate of team co-owner Jimmy Vasser.
Hawksworth acknowledged the significance of the moment. “This is a very special one. We’ve struggled here in the past, so getting pole at this track means a lot. On a day like this, with such sad news, it becomes even more emotional”, he said.
Historically, the Lexus RC F GT3 has struggled at Laguna Seca, making this result particularly meaningful. The team’s progress and precise execution in qualifying turned a previous weakness into a competitive strength.
Tight field and strong competition
Behind Hawksworth, Neil Verhagen placed the BMW M4 GT3 Evo from Paul Miller Racing in second, just over two tenths behind. The field remains highly competitive, with multiple manufacturers including Ford, Porsche, Chevrolet, Lamborghini and McLaren all showing strong pace.
An interesting statistic adds further intrigue: none of the previous three polesitters this season have gone on to win the race. Hawksworth will aim to break that trend at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
Patrese leads new generation in GTD
In the GTD class, Lorenzo Patrese claimed pole position in the Ferrari 296 GT3 for Conquest Racing. The young Italian, son of former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese, emerged victorious in a direct battle with Eduardo Barrichello, son of Rubens Barrichello, highlighting a new generation of racing talent.
Patrese set a best time of 1:21.441, securing his second pole in the championship and the team’s first since 2012. The result carried additional significance on a day dedicated to remembering Zanardi, a figure closely linked to the Patrese family.
With a competitive field, emotional context and multiple narratives unfolding, the Laguna Seca race promises to be more than just a fight for victory — it will also be a celebration of motorsport’s past, present and future.