Lexus RC F GT3 Teams Secure Top Finishes at Indianapolis

The Vasser Sullivan No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, piloted by Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat, secured a fifth-place finish at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 21, 2026. In the GTD class, the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen, finished eighth in the two-hour and 40-minute event. The Lexus RC F GT3 Indianapolis race saw both teams navigate various challenges to achieve top-ten results.

Performance of the No. 14 RC F GT3

Ben Barnicoat initiated the sprint race from sixth position in the GTD PRO class, maintaining a strong presence within the top six throughout his stint. He brought the No. 14 Lexus into the pits from fourth place on lap 46 for a driver change. Jack Hawksworth then took over, rejoining the race in 10th position.

Hawksworth steadily advanced through the field, climbing back into the top five. However, a competitor made contact with the No. 14 Lexus in turn 10, causing it to go off track. Hawksworth quickly rejoined in seventh place and managed to gain several positions in the final 20 minutes, ultimately crossing the finish line fifth in the GTD PRO category. Despite acknowledging a lack of overall pace, Hawksworth praised the team's strategic execution and clean race, noting the contact likely cost them a podium finish.

No. 12 RC F GT3's GTD Effort

In the GTD competition, Benjamin Pedersen started strong, running within the top five during his initial stint. Employing a long strategy, the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 led for 11 laps before Pedersen handed over driving duties to Aaron Telitz on Lap 42. Following the pit stop, the car cycled back out in 10th position.

Ten laps later, the No. 12 Lexus experienced a spin but was able to continue racing. An unfortunate caution period, occurring with just over an hour remaining in the race, further impacted their progress, dropping the No. 12 car to 11th. Telitz then worked to recover positions in the closing stages of the race, ultimately securing an eighth-place finish in the GTD class for the Lexus RC F GT3 Indianapolis race.

Driver Reflections and Season Finale

Both Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat expressed disappointment over the missed podium opportunity for the No. 14 car due to the contact incident, especially given the team's strong strategy and pit stops. Barnicoat highlighted the team's excellent teamwork in positioning them to capitalize on other competitors' misfortunes. Despite the setback, a fifth-place finish was considered a solid result given the circumstances and the car's pace that weekend.

Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen also reflected on a challenging weekend for the No. 12 Lexus. Pedersen noted the car's strong start and his ability to maintain a leading position despite pressure, while Telitz acknowledged the impact of the untimely caution. Both drivers emphasized their determination to finish the season strongly. The Lexus and Vasser Sullivan teams are now preparing for the final event of the 2027 season, the 10-hour Petit Le Mans, scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.