Parker Thompson has taken a bold step forward, stepping into the spotlight to confront the fallout from a harrowing incident during last weekend's Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The young driver, racing for DragonSpeed, has publicly acknowledged his role in a crash that left the team’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R battered and bruised, declaring unequivocally that there was “no excuse” for his actions that led to significant damage.
In a gripping moment during the second hour of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance race, Thompson, competing in just his second LMP2 event, misjudged an overtaking maneuver and collided with the No. 81 Corvette driven by Henrik Hedman. The impact sent Hedman crashing into the barriers, resulting in a devastating setback for the GTD team. The repercussions were immediate and severe: a five-minute stop-and-hold penalty was handed to Thompson, effectively derailing the hopes of the class pole-sitting No. 52 Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen Oreca 07 Gibson.
Speaking candidly with IMSA Radio’s Arjuna Kankipati, Thompson took full ownership of the incident, stating, “It’s totally my fault.” He expressed regret for the situation, acknowledging the hard work of the DragonSpeed crew who were tirelessly working to repair the car. “If there was one car you didn’t want to hit, it’s those guys,” he lamented, referencing their previous misfortunes at Daytona. Thompson, a former champion in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, detailed the shock of the crash, reflecting on the differences in handling between GT and LMP2 cars. “I used to be a GT guy; I saw the monstrosities that the LMP2 field has committed on the GT group. But I’m not making an excuse for the P2 guys. You just don’t realize how long of a wheelbase that car (LMP2) has. It caught me out today.”
The incident left a bitter taste for the DragonSpeed team, with co-driver Giacomo Altoe expressing frustration over the early disruption to their race. “Our race was effectively ruined early on by a shocking move on Henrik — there is no word for that – and there was nothing he could do,” he stated, emphasizing the potential for even worse outcomes from the crash.
Despite the turmoil, the resilience of the DragonSpeed crew shone through. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Pratt Miller Motorsports, the Corvette returned to the track after nearly three hours of extensive repairs, which included replacing bodywork and a driveshaft. Team principal Elton Julian praised the dedication of everyone involved, stating, “The team’s efforts to get the car back out were amazing.” He extended gratitude to Corvette Racing for their assistance, highlighting the unity and determination that defines their team.
Altoe remained optimistic, noting that when they rejoined the race, their pace was commendable, even under challenging circumstances. “We have to take the positives from this pace and use it to build future success,” he asserted, vowing to return stronger in future events.
As Thompson juggles a demanding dual-series program, he is set to embark on a full season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, driving a Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO. He reflected on the importance of experience in multi-class racing, stating, “The more time you can get behind the wheel of anything, the more perspective you’re going to have.” He acknowledged the challenges of racing in mixed-class environments, noting the difficulties of braking and maneuvering without the assistance of ABS.
Thompson's commitment to growth is evident as he looks to learn from this costly incident. “It’s terrible to see,” he lamented about the crash. “All I can do, it’s my second [LMP2] race, I can just be better and hopefully… as I grow up and mature in P2, just remember that incident and never do it again.” His journey forward will be closely watched as he seeks redemption and strives to refine his skills on the track.
