Porsche Penske Motorsport Faces Challenges in Qatar Season Opener

Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a disappointing start to the season in Qatar, with both their cars encountering significant challenges. Julien Andlauer’s number 5 Porsche suffered tyre damage and technical issues, finishing tenth. Laurens Vanthoor’s sister car experienced damage early on, leading to an eleventh-place finish. Performance issues plagued Porsche’s customer teams in the LMGT3 class. Overall, all teams are looking to improve as they head into the next race.

Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a challenging start to the season at the 5.419-kilometer Grand Prix circuit in Qatar, where sunny weather turned to darkness quickly, impacting track temperatures and race dynamics. The team’s drivers encountered various setbacks: Julien Andlauer suffered a tyre damage that necessitated an unscheduled pit stop, which initially relegated the number 5 Porsche 963 to last place. Despite temporary recoveries during the race, technical issues and punctures ultimately led to a tenth-place finish, earning them two championship points.

Laurens Vanthoor, driving the sister car, struggled as well after sustaining damage from a collision early on. Replacing the rear wing during the first pit stop hindered their progress, leading to an eleventh-place finish. Urs Kuratle, Head of Factory Motorsport LMDh, acknowledged the difficulties despite past successes in the same venue, stating that while they were not faultless, the new challenges were evident.

Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, expressed disappointment over the performance, noting that the team deserved a better outcome despite scoring points. The number 6 car faced challenges due to a Virtual Safety Car incident that affected their pacing, while the number 5 car struggled with punctures and technical difficulties.

The Porsche customer team, Proton Competition, finished a difficult race in 15th place, grappling with brake problems that caused them to lose contact with the frontrunners. In the LMGT3 class, Porsche teams encountered performance issues on the Qatari circuit. The Manthey team’s 911 GT3 R finished twelfth, while the Iron Dames concluded the race in thirteenth place.

Post-race, drivers reflected on the challenges faced. Michael Christensen remarked on the exhausting conditions and the difficulties in managing tyre and brake wear. Laurens Vanthoor found the result disappointing compared to their previous win in Doha. Neel Jani acknowledged their progress despite setbacks, while Michelle Gatting expressed enjoyment driving the Porsche, despite performance needs for improvement.

Overall, Porsche Penske Motorsport confronted a tough opening race at the Qatar Grand Prix, with both teams facing setbacks that hindered their ability to compete for top positions. Analyzing performance data will be crucial as they prepare for the next round of the season in Imola, targeting improvements on their car’s pace and reliability. Team leaders and drivers remain optimistic, aiming for better outcomes moving forward.

Original Source: newsroom.porsche.com