Richard Morris has officially been declared the European Sports Prototype Cup Champion after a remarkable display at the famed Le Mans circuit. This prestigious event took place from November 10 to 12, 2023, at the Bugatti circuit—renowned in the motorsport world for its association with the legendary 24 Hour race. Although the race occurred on the permanent circuit rather than the classic Circuit de la Sarthe, it still provided an iconic backdrop for the championship finale.
Entering the final event of the season, Morris led the standings, and a strong performance was key to securing the title. The championship featured a two-driver endurance race where Morris teamed with his fellow driver, Milan De Laet, followed by a challenging solo sprint race.
With constraints on testing time and adjustments to a different Revolution 500SC car, the duo faced an uphill task during the qualifying sessions. Early shifts in the car's setup were essential, as Richard and Milan made significant refinements between practice and qualifying rounds. Ultimately, they qualified in third, behind polesitter Pedro Salvador and second-placed Tim Tramnitz.
The race began under challenging wet conditions due to heavy overnight rain; however, this did not deter De Laet's resolve. "I started in second place and pushed hard to get ahead," said Milan. Within just a few laps, he found a way past his competitor and quickly established a commanding position, benefiting greatly from a strategic safety car period.
"It was a critical moment in the race after the safety car, and my goal was to maintain and extend our lead before pitting," Milan remarked, depicting the race's competitive dynamics.
Following their first pit stop where Milan handed the car over to Morris, Richard maintained a notable lead, with the Penteado/Salvador car experiencing retirement just after the one-hour mark. This unexpected development tilted the championship in Morris's favor as he continued to put in solid laps on the worn wet tires until conditions allowed for slicks.
“We just kept focused on our strategy and the driving, and I’m really proud of how we adapted,” Richard explained. In a bid to secure their victory, Morris completed his stint before returning De Laet to the car, who ultimately crossed the finish line, clinching the endurance race win and sealing the championship.
This achievement made Morris unassailable in the driver rankings, but the action wasn’t over yet. Due to an administrative error that left him off the grid for the solo sprint race, he found himself starting from the back. Yet, Richard viewed it as an opportunity rather than a setback.
In his typical fearless style, Morris made quick work of overtaking rivals, completing over six passes in the opening lap alone. “Driving under no pressure allowed me to enjoy the race, and it was great to finish the day with another win,” he said, reflecting on his exhilarating journey through the field.
With two impressive victories at Le Mans, Morris concluded a season filled with accolades: he emerged not only as the European Sports Prototype Cup Champion but also earned honors as the BRM Chronographes UK-European Trophy Winner and the Dutch Supercar Challenge Zandvoort Trophy of the Dunes Overall Winner. His stats for the season included seven wins, nine podium finishes, and a total of eleven races.
"This year has been incredible, and becoming a European Champion is a landmark in my career," expressed Morris, touching on the challenges faced throughout the season. "It hasn’t always been easy, but the determination and support from my family and friends have driven me to this point."
As the curtain closes on a remarkable year for Richard Morris Racing, fans and followers eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this champion driver, who has shown resilience and talent both on and off the track.