Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a challenging start to the season in Qatar, experiencing tire issues and technical setbacks. Despite these challenges, they managed to secure two championship points, finishing tenth with one car and eleventh with the other. The customer teams, including Proton Competition, struggled, particularly in the LMGT3 class, with challenges related to performance. The team remains focused on improving for future races, aiming for better results.
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s season commenced in Qatar under sunny skies, with the 5.419-kilometre Grand Prix circuit presenting challenging conditions as night fell. Despite a promising start, the team faced significant setbacks, including a tire failure that forced Julien Andlauer to pit early, dropping the number 5 Porsche 963 to last in the Hypercar class. The team managed to regain some ground, finishing in tenth place and earning two championship points.
Laurens Vanthoor, driving the sister car, encountered difficulties as well after being hit at the start, necessitating a rear wing replacement during the first stop. The reigning FIA WEC drivers’ champions, Vanthoor and Kévin Estre, along with Matt Campbell, ended the race in eleventh place. Urs Kuratle, Head of Factory Motorsport LMDh, described the race as difficult, feeling a podium finish was unlikely given the circumstances.
“We only scored two points today – but I feel like we deserved more,” stated Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. He assessed the team’s performance, noting that while their cars showcased good pace, they struggled with tire damage and technical issues. Looking ahead to the next race in Imola, improvements are expected to enhance overall performance.
The Porsche customer team, Proton Competition, finished in 15th place after grappling with brake problems throughout the race. Their drivers, including Neel Jani, experienced issues that resulted in losing a lap and falling behind the lead contenders. The race proved challenging for all Porsche entries, particularly the customer teams in the LMGT3 class, who struggled with performance on the Circuit.
In the LMGT3 class, the two 911 GT3 R from Manthey, including one driven by Porsche works driver Richard Lietz, faced a tough race, finishing in twelfth place, while the Iron Dames team secured thirteenth. Each Porsche team remains resolute, analyzing performance data for improvement. Drivers expressed mixed feelings, with some finding joy in their driving experience despite disappointing results.
Michael Christensen reflected on the challenges he faced during the race, noting the intensity of competition and tire wear issues. Vanthoor described the outcome as disappointing, contrasting it with their victory last year. Jani acknowledged a challenging week but recognized progress, while Gatting found joy in driving, expressing confidence in her team’s potential to improve moving forward.
Porsche’s race results in the Hypercar class showed Ferrari dominating, taking the top three positions, while Porsche entries strived to remain competitive amid setbacks. The team is focused on learning from this event to enhance their performance for the upcoming races in the season.
Porsche Penske Motorsport began their season in Qatar with significant challenges, including tire issues and technical setbacks that impacted performance. Despite finishing tenth with one car, the results did not meet the team’s aspirations. Drivers expressed a mix of disappointment and optimism for future races, indicating a commitment to improvement. With the next race in Imola approaching, the team aims to address their issues and enhance overall competitiveness.
Original Source: newsroom.porsche.com
