Porsche Penske Motorsport Faces Season Challenges in Qatar

Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a rocky season opener in Qatar, experiencing multiple setbacks including tire issues and technical problems. The team’s finishes in the Hypercar class were 10th and 11th, while their customer team landed in 15th. Promising aspects were noted despite disappointments, with hopes for better performance in the upcoming race at Imola.

Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a challenging start to their season during the Qatar race on the 5.419-kilometre Grand Prix circuit near Doha amid shifting track conditions. The race commenced under sunny skies, but as darkness fell, temperatures decreased, which added difficulties for drivers. Early setbacks included an unscheduled pit stop for Julien Andlauer due to a damaged tire, leaving him and his teammates at the bottom of the standings. However, a safety car phase allowed them to climb back to fifth temporarily before further issues dropped them to a tenth-place finish, securing two championship points. Meanwhile, Laurens Vanthoor and his team in the sister car encountered an early collision, resulting in a rear wing replacement and a finish in eleventh place.

Urs Kuratle, Head of Factory Motorsport LMDh, acknowledged the race’s difficulties, stating that while there were mistakes, the team’s efforts were commendable, though the end result was disappointing. Managing Director Jonathan Diuguid expressed that the team deserved better outcomes, highlighting issues like a lap down due to the Virtual Safety Car and hoping for improvements in the next race at Imola. The customer team Proton Competition also struggled, ultimately finishing in 15th after encountering persistent brake problems.

In the LMGT3 class, Porsche’s customer teams grappled with performance issues. The Manthey 911 GT3 R team, driven by Richard Lietz and others, managed only a twelfth-place finish, and the Iron Dames finished thirteenth. Post-race comments reflected the drivers’ recognition of potential improvements, despite frustrations. Michael Christensen from the Porsche 963 described his race as tiring but noted the significance of earning championship points. Laurens Vanthoor expressed disappointment, revealing a contrast to last year’s podium success. Neel Jani acknowledged a brake problem’s impact but saw progress compared to previous performances. Michelle Gatting commented positively on her driving experience, while Richard Lietz identifiable areas needing enhancement ahead of future competitions.

In the Hypercar class results, the Ferraris dominated the podium, while Porsche 963’s recorded finishes at 10th, 11th, and 15th place. The LMGT3 class saw a similar trend, with Porsche teams finishing 12th and 13th. This race displayed the complexities of endurance racing, emphasizing the importance of team strategy and vehicle performance under varied conditions.

In summary, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s season opener in Qatar was marked by unexpected challenges, resulting in a disappointing overall performance despite the team’s resilience. Early race setbacks, technical issues, and performance shortcomings hindered both the Hypercar and LMGT3 class teams from achieving favorable outcomes. Nevertheless, team leaders remain optimistic about future improvements and potential for success as they prepare for the next race in Imola.

Original Source: newsroom.porsche.com