Porsche Penske Motorsport encountered a difficult season opener in the Qatar Grand Prix, with both entries facing mechanical issues and finishing outside the top positions. The number 5 car secured tenth place, while the sister car finished eleventh. Despite the challenges, team management expressed determination to improve for the next race in Imola.
Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a challenging start to the season at the Qatar Grand Prix on the 5.419-kilometer circuit near Doha, despite favorable weather conditions. With the air temperature at 21 degrees Celsius and the track reaching 34 degrees, the race quickly turned challenging as night fell and temperatures dropped. Both Porsche 963 hybrid prototypes encountered setbacks; the number 5 car, driven by Julien Andlauer, Mathieu Jaminet, and Michael Christensen, fell to last place due to a punctured tyre but managed to recover to tenth place, earning two championship points.
In a similarly difficult scenario, Laurens Vanthoor’s team in the sister car experienced early problems when another competitor collided into them, leading to a necessary replacement of the rear wing. Despite the reigning champions’ efforts, they finished the race in eleventh place, a stark contrast to their victory last year. Urs Kuratle, the Head of Factory Motorsport LMDh, acknowledged the difficult race, reflecting on the team’s mistakes and emphasizing the need for improvement.
Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, expressed disappointment with the results, noting that they only accumulated two points despite deserving more given their performance and resilience throughout the race. Both Porsche entries displayed competitive pace but suffered mechanical setbacks. The Proton Competition customer team concluded the race in fifteenth place, facing issues with brakes which hindered their performance.
In the LMGT3 class, the two 911 GT3 R vehicles struggled with performance and top speed at the challenging Qatari circuit. The team led by Richard Lietz finished in twelfth place, while the Iron Dames, a female driver trio, concluded the race in thirteenth position. Several drivers, including Michelle Gatting, voiced their enjoyment driving the Porsche, though acknowledging that there is work to be done to improve performance.
Looking forward, the drivers expressed their commitment to learning from this race and enhancing their strategy for the next round in Imola. Michael Christensen noted the difficulty of the race while Laurens Vanthoor described the results as disappointing, and Neel Jani highlighted areas of potential improvement despite finishing a lap down. The season’s opening race laid the groundwork for necessary adjustments and strategies to pursue better outcomes moving forward.
After the initial race results were tallied, the Ferrari teams claimed the top three spots in the Hypercar class, with Porsche finishing in positions ten, eleven, and fifteen. The LMGT3 results showcased fierce competition, with Corvette topping the class, followed closely by a McLaren and a BMW.
The Qatar Grand Prix presented numerous challenges for Porsche Penske Motorsport, resulting in a disappointing start to their season. Despite the struggles, the team’s resilience and potential for improvement were evident. Looking ahead, the focus will shift to refining their performance and strategies for the upcoming race in Imola, as they aim to capitalize on their strengths and learn from their early setbacks in the championship.
Original Source: newsroom.porsche.com
