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Race report
Stuttgart. A successful home race for the new
Dark clouds hung over the Grand Prix circuit of the Nürburgring as the 29 contenders took off into the six-hour race. However, the dreaded changeable Eifel weather stayed away. The odd raindrop had no influence on the race. Despite taking up the race from pole position, Michael Christensen was unable to hold his front spot and fell back to fourth place in the first lap after making a braking error. However, his teammate Frédéric Makowiecki moved up into position two and later even took the lead. After the first round of pit stops, the old qualifying order was restored: Kévin Estre led the strongly represented GT field with the #92 car, with the #91 vehicle driven by Richard Lietz running third. Implementing different pit stop strategies, the team colleagues swapped positions several times over the course of the race, and by half way a 911 RSR was still holding its own at the front of the field. This changed only two and a half hours before the finish, when the Ferrari pulled ahead. From this point on, the 911 RSR put in consistent lap times to maintain a commanding second and third, and remained out of reach to the flag for the rest of the GT field.
In the GTE-Am class, in which
Round five of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC will be contested in Mexico City/Mexico on 3 September.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars
“We witnessed an excellent race today. The situation in the GT classes was extremely competitive, which was fantastic for the fans. In the GTE-Pro class, we’re talking about an average of less than three-tenths of a second per lap that made the difference. We’re very happy to have secured second and third place. The first win for the new 911 RSR is within reach. We’re also particularly thrilled about our Young Professional Matteo Cairoli, who claimed his first WEC victory in the GTE-Am class with our customer team Dempsey Proton Racing. Considering the success of the 919 Hybrid this weekend, it was virtually a perfect Nürburgring weekend for
Richard Lietz (911 RSR #91)
“That was a good race for us. We had a perfect strategy. We wanted to start on used tyres and finish with a double stint on fresh tyres. Basically this strategy worked. Our team did a fantastic job. Second and third is more than we could expect. We’ve made huge improvements since the first races. I’m very pleased.”
Frédéric Makowiecki (911 RSR #91)
“It’s great to be back on the podium. That was a tough race. Even at Le Mans, our pace was good with the new 911 RSR, and we clocked consistent lap times again here. During my first stint I managed to take the lead. But in the second half of the race, the Ferrari was a little faster, particularly towards the end of the stint. That made the difference today. We’re very close to claiming our first victory with our new 911 RSR and we want to achieve this as soon as possible. Perhaps we can do it at the next round in Mexico.”
Michael Christensen (911 RSR #92)
“That was a good day for the team and for
Kévin Estre (911 RSR #92)
“That was a good race for us, much better than the first three this season. We set pole position and were in the lead – but unfortunately that wasn’t enough to secure the first victory for the new 911 RSR. The Ferrari was too strong in the double stints. We put up a great fight against the rest of our rivals and we’re all very close. Our setup was good, there’s only minor things which we’ll now work on. The maiden victory is hopefully just a matter of time.”
Matteo Cairoli (911 RSR #77, Dempsey Proton Racing)
“To secure my first win in the WEC at
GTE-Pro class
1. Calado/Pier Guidi (I/I), Ferrari 488 GTE, 179 laps
2. Lietz/Makowiecki (A/F),
3. Christensen/Estre (DK/F),
4. Thiim/Soerensen (DK/DK), Aston Martin, 178
5. Priaulx/Tincknell (GB/GB), Ford GT, 178
6. Mücke/Pla (D/F), Ford GT, 178
7. Turner/Adam/Serra (GB/GB/BRA), Aston Martin, 178
8. Rigon/Vilander (I/SF), Ferrari 488 GTE, 173
GTE-Am class
1. Ried/Cairoli/Dienst (D/I/D),
2. Flohr/Castellacci/Molina (CH/I/P), Ferrari 488 GTE, 174
3. Dalla Lana/Lamy/Lauda (CAN/P/A), Aston Martin, 174
4. Mok/Sawa/Griffin (MYS/J/IRL), Ferrari 488 GTE, 173
5. Wainwright/Barker/Foster (GB/GB/GB),
All reports on the previous season can be found in our archive.