After the season-opener in Bahrain, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup returns to Europe with Formula 1. Led by Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), the pilots of the international one-make race series put the throttle to the floor on the 4.6 kilometre Circuit de Catalunya not far from Barcelona on Sunday. Competing for Konrad Motorsport, the 27-year-old title defender gave a brilliant performance at the first two races of the season, securing pole position and victory from both rounds. Holding 44 points in the championship he heads a strong group of pursuers.

Twelve points behind his compatriot is Patrick Huisman ranking second in the drivers’ championship. The 42-year-old, who competes for the SPS Performance squad this year, has the most Supercup experience of anyone. From 1997 to 2000 he achieved four straight championship titles and, so far in his career, he has climbed the podium a total of 24 times as winner – an unparalleled record.

Newcomer Matt Halliday (Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport) from New Zealand and Irishman Damien Faulkner (Walter Lechner Racing School) hold 24 points each. Halliday (29) hails from the New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge where he concluded the 2004 season as vice champion. Faulkner, twofold champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain (2005 and 2006) is however a seasoned Supercup specialist: In 2007, his first season, and again in 2008 he wound up the year as vice champion. Now he is after the title.

For Richard Westbrook another overall victory would be his third. The 33-year-old Briton, who drove for Porsche last year as works pilot in the FIA GT Championship and the American Le Mans Series, dominated the international Porsche Supercup in 2006 and 2007. This season he makes his comeback with the Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport team. After two rounds he ranks fifth with 22 points, followed by René Rast (Germany, 18 points). The 22-year-old youngster from the VELTINS MRS Racing outfit won the 2008 Carrera Cup Deutschland series and for 2009 concentrates totally on his Supercup commitment.

Television stations “Eurosport” and “Premiere” broadcast the race on the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday (10 May) live from 11.40 hrs. Additionally, “Eurosport” televises highlights of the race on Sunday evening in its “Motorsports Weekend” programme.

1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 44 points
2. Patrick Huisman (NED), 32 points
3. Matt Halliday (NZL), 24 points
4. Damien Faulkner (IRL), 24 points
5. Richard Westbrook (GBR), 22 points

1. Matt Halliday (NZL), 24 points

1. Konrad Motorsport (GER), 53 points
2. Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport (NED), 47 points
3. SPS Performance (GER), 44 points