The 4 Hours of Portimão was the final time the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) would run in the European Le Mans Series, with LMGT3 replacing the category in 2024. LMGTE will have a final send off this weekend in the Middle East with the final every race for the category in the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the season finale of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship on the 2-4 November.
Matt Griffin has been part of the European Le Mans Series since 2013 and won the LMGTE title alongside Johnny Mowlem for RAM Racing that season. The Irishman has won 11 ELMS races in the past ten years, more than anyone else apart from Proton Competition’s Christian Ried, who also scored 11 race victories after winning the 4 Hours of Algarve during the final weekend of the 2023 season.
Griffin has been a Ferrari driver for the entirety of his ELMS and WEC careers, so much so he has earned the nickname ‘Matteo Griffoni’ as an honorary Italian, racing for AF Corse and Spirit of Race in the ELMS since winning the title with RAM Racing.
He also races in the GT3 category in various national and international series, winning the 2015 24H Dubai and finishing as Vice Champion in the 2018 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. This makes Matt Griffin one of the best drivers on the grid to talk about the transition from LMGTE to LMGT3.
So, what does Matt Griffin think about the switch from GTE to GT3 next season and looking back on 12 years of great racing?
“Of course, the switch is progress, and it does make sense to have a global GT platform, rather than have some championships that are running GT3 and others GTE,” Griffin said.
“We have had GTE since 2011, but, before that, we had GT2, which actually was the same as GTE. So as a category, purely from a driving point of view, it's really sad to see it go because the cars are epic.
“The GT3 cars are really fast, and they can do the same or very similar lap times to a GTE, but they achieve it in a different way. They have ABS and a lot more driver aids. For the amateurs, it's probably a bit easier, but for the pros, it's a bit sad, because as a top pro, you can't make the difference as much as you can now.
“The GTE is just a very raw car; it always has been. My first experience was in 2008 in a Ferrari 430 GT2. It had a sequential gearbox, no ABS, at the time a very rudimentary traction control system, it was heaven to drive. Then we went to the Ferrari 458 GTE, which, for me, was the best car, even the sound from the normally aspirated engine, a complete savage of a thing to drive, but unbelievably rewarding.
“Then we go to the 488, which is where things are starting to get a little bit softer, but it's still massively rewarding to drive.
“There's nothing wrong with GT3, the cars are epic, but in just terms of pure raw racing, lack of driver aids, as a professional, it's really sad to see GTE go.”
So, what was Griffin’s thoughts on the final season for LMGTE?
“At Spa, it is a more kind of poignant finish to the GTE car. Portimão is a great circuit, don't get me wrong, but for me, Spa and Le Mans are the circuits, and that was the last time I will ever race a GTE car around Spa.
“You know, in a GTE car we can do Eau Rouge full gas. in sixth gear, just about on new tyres, maybe not with full fuel. It's a huge challenge but also rewarding one because as drivers we like to push the limits.
“But life goes on, we get older and things change for the world of GT racing and endurance racing in general. I think the way things are going is incredibly exciting.”
The final race for the LMGTE category will take place this weekend at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, round 7 of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. CLICK HERE for more details.
