Across the 11 races participated in, with grids of up to 70 cars around some of the strongest GT teams around, Theeba embarked on what became a year of progress, of learning, which culminated in a superb podium in a thrilling race at Valencia – a well-earned reward for the entire team after a challenging year.
The season up to the Nurburgring round has been covered before over summer, with the glimpses of potential being there on display, but not necessarily with the results to show for it.
When the team reconvened following the summer break at Hockenheim, history was in the making for the team. For the second race of the weekend, after a strong day before with a fine fifth in a super-competitive race, Reema took a superb pole position – which was the first for a woman in the Sprint Cup.
It was an incredible milestone, and one that showed how far the team had come together to a new level. Even if that race did not go the team’s way, it highlighted the progress made since the opening rounds of the year.
The rain certainly fell in Spain for the team’s final Sprint Cup weekend at Valencia. Despite the pace not being there for much of the weekend in the slippery conditions, as well as some misfortune, the team and drivers were able to deliver a very strong race two that weekend.
Managing a chaotic race, featuring many Safety Cars, Fabian took Reema’s strong opening stint and turned it into a very fine turn of pace in the final part of the race. The battles continued right until the final lap, and in the final corners Fabian overtook several cars to storm to second place.
While the podium is a familiar place for Theeba following the strong campaign in 2022, it was the first for the team in GTWCE – in amongst this intense field – and one that had felt a long-time coming for the team. It had all come together at last.
Unfortunately, the chaotic nature of the final race of our season – the Endurance Cup finale at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – did not go the team’s way. The team was in the mix for a decent result following qualifying, but damage sustained early on and a race with a lot of interruptions limited the team’s progress.
That result, however, does not reflect the team’s progress seen throughout 2023 and the strengths that have been on display through a lot of the season.
As the team looks ahead to 2024, the next objective is clear: to build on this momentum and to fight for race wins on a regular basis.
Reema Juffali, Team Founder:
“As we now look back on our season – our first in GTWCE –there is a lot we can be proud of as a team. For myself personally, to take pole position at Hockenheim and to stand on the podium at Valencia were very special moments.
“I feel proud for the team, to have been a huge part of the building of this team, and where we are going in the future. We want to be fighting for wins and championship success in 2024, and we will look to do what we can over the winter to put us in the best position to do that.”
