The Porsche GT Team scored its second win of the season at round six of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC. Starting from pole, the reigning GTE-Pro world champions Kévin Estre and Michael Christensen took the flag in first place at the wheel of the No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR at Spa-Francorchamps.
In a chaotic race with heavy rain and three safety car phases, the factory squad kept cool at all times, implementing a perfect tactic and with a strong driving performance. Teammates Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz finished in fifth place in the No.91 Porsche while in the GTE-Am category, the experienced Dempsey-Proton Racing customer squad finished the race in second place.
Shortly before the start of the race the heavens opened and heavy rain flooded the track to such an extent that it began behind the safety car. When the green flags finally came out, the rain eased off but the works drivers struggled for grip. Another heavy shower in the first half of the race resulted in a second safety car phase and again, the two GT racers from Weissach lost ground.
When the sun reappeared after three hours of racing, the strengths of the new 911 RSR also emerged. Christensen and Estre drove consistently fast stints and their team’s clever tactics helped them return to the front. Bruni and Lietz were unable to improve significantly in the close battle between the manufacturer teams.
In the overall standings, the second-placed Porsche factory squad managed to reduce the gap to the top. In the drivers’ championship, the defending champions Estre and Christensen advanced to second place.
In the GTE-Am class, the Dempsey-Proton Racing customer team claimed its first podium result of the season with Christian Ried, Riccardo Pera and Porsche works driver Matt Campbell finishing in second place. The young Australian put in a particularly impressive drive against tough competition. Campbell launched a renewed attack in the final phase of the race and mobilised the full potential of the 2017-spec version of the Porsche 911 RSR.
At the flag and after six hours of racing he was just 2.898-seconds away from securing the first win of the season. The Project 1 Team finished fourth and fifth, sandwiching the second Dempsey-Proton Racing Porsche.
Speaking after the race Pascal Zurlinden, Director Factory Motorsport commented: “Congratulations to the entire team at the track and to our development squad in Weissach. The Porsche 911 RSR proved extremely competitive in all sessions. In the race, the team’s and drivers’ wealth of experience paid off once again. The tactics were perfect in difficult conditions, our works drivers pushed the car to the limit at all times and brought them over the finish line unscathed. This win gives us an addition boost for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans in September. We’re ready for the big highlight!”
Kévin Estre added: “What a wonderful weekend! We were fast in practice, we claimed pole position and won the race. The team put in a tactically strong performance. The second half of the race was on a dry track. It was precisely in this critical phase that we were back in full force and able to call on the full potential of our Porsche 911 RSR. We’ve taken an important step forward in the overall standings. At Le Mans, we aim to pick up exactly where we left off and go all-out.”
Race results
GTE-Pro class
1. Christensen/Estre (DK/F), Porsche 911 RSR #92, 135 laps
2. Sorensen/Thiim (DK/DK), Aston Martin Vantage #95, 135 laps
3. Lynn/Martin (GB/B), Aston Martin Vantage #97, 135 laps
4. Calado/Pier Guidi (GB/I), Ferrari 488 GTE #51, 135 laps
5. Lietz/Bruni (A/I), Porsche 911 RSR #91, 135 laps
6. Rigon/Molina (I/E), Ferrari 488 GTE #71, 135 laps
GTE-Am class
1. Perrodo/Collard/Nielsen (F/F/DK), Ferrari 488 GTE #83, 134 laps
2. Campbell/Ried/Pera (AUS/D/I), Porsche 911 RSR #77, 134 laps
3. Yoluc/Eastwood/Adam (TR/IRL/GB), Aston Martin Vantage #90, 134 laps
4. Perfetti/Hörr/Cairoli (N/D/I), Porsche 911 RSR #56, 134 laps
5. Giraudi/Sanchez/Legeret (I/MEX/CH), Porsche 911 RSR, 134 laps
6. Keating/Fraga/Bleekemolen (USA/BR/NL), Porsche 911 RSR #57, 134 laps
10. Wainwright/Barker/Watson (GB/GB/GB), Porsche 911 RSR #86, 134 laps
Full results click here.