Half time in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: On the historic circuit of Silverstone, where the Formula 1 success story began on 13 May, 1950, the sixth round of the world’s fastest international one-make race series takes off. It is entirely possible that Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands) can secure a decisive advantage in the fight for the title. The closest rival of Dutch points’ leader is not competing: As planned, Richard Westbrook from Great Britain is not at his home race, but instead at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the FIA GT race in Oschersleben, where he currently leads the GT2 class.

“I would love to be racing in Silverstone, especially now that everything is running so smoothly for us,” says the Supercup champion of 2006 and 2007, and who has won the rounds in Barcelona and Monaco so far this season. As a substitute driver, Westbrook’s team, Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport, has contracted the Dutchman Renger van den Zande who normally contests the British Formula 3 Championship where he has already won the season-opener on the Silverstone track. After posting pole position here last year Jeroen Bleekemolen likes the legendary circuit. “A great track. I always have fun here,” said the enthused title defender, who has three victories to his credit this season. Despite his arch rival foregoing the race, Bleekemolen doesn’t feel he has carte blanche. “There are enough other strong contenders who would love to beat me.”

One is René Rast. Driving for VELTINS MRS Racing, the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland kicked off the season with second in Bahrain and followed up again with second in Monaco and Istanbul. The German now hopes to go one better in Silverstone. “In Istanbul I had the perfect set-up for my car and early on in the race was even faster than Jeroen,” he says. “But even with a slightly quicker car it’s extremely difficult to get past such an old fox. You simply have to wait until he makes a mistake, but he didn’t do me the favour.”

Supercup record winner Patrick Huisman and Stefan Rosina are also eager to pocket their first win of the season. In the championship standings, the Dutchman (SPS Performance) ranks third ahead of the Slovakian Rosina (Walter Lechner Racing School) in fourth. Last year at the rain race in Silverstone, Rosina yielded third. After dashing his chances of a top placing in Istanbul through an accident in the first lap, the New Zealander Matt Halliday (Jetstream-Federsand Motorsport) is determined to fight his way back into the top three. Damien Faulkner (Walter Lechner Racing School), vice-champion of 2007 and 2008, is still waiting for his first podium result of the season.

Television stations “Eurosport 2” and “Premiere” broadcast the race in Silverstone live on Sunday, 21 June, from 11.30 hours. In addition, “Eurosport” televises highlights of the race on Sunday evening in its “Motorsports Weekend” programme.

1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 102 points
2. Richard Westbrook (GBR), 78
3. Patrick Huisman (NED), 61
4. Stefan Rosina (SVK), 56
5. Matt Halliday (NZL), 55
6. René Rast (GER), 54

1. Matt Halliday (NZL), 55 points

1. Konrad Motorsport, 137 points
2. Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport, 133
3. Walter Lechner Racing School, 105