The name Silverstone stands for spectacular racing action – and the 3rd Round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2022 was no exception. Motorsport fans worldwide have had to be patient, but once the race started, it was worth the wait!
The lineup at Silverstone was complete, with 32 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars stretching all the way to the exit of Club corner. The grandstands around the traditional circuit are state of the art – and even the frequent rain showers throughout the race weekend couldn't keep the thousands of English motorsport fans away. The atmosphere was unique!
In addition to the 28 permanent drivers, young UK driver Adam Smalley started for CLRT in the #13. Israeli driver #35 Ariel Levi was a guest starter for Huber Racing, while Australian #38 Aaron Love completed the Martinet by Alméras team. The US Team Kelly Moss Road and Race brought two race cars, driven by #36 Ghislain Cordeel (BEL) and #37 Riley Dickinson (USA) to their guest appearance at the Home of British Motor Racing – it could hardly be more international!
Practice: relaxed. Qualification: curious.
The Practice Session on Friday evening was disciplined, apart from the track limits being exceeded. This was followed by a curious Qualifying Session on Saturday: shortly after the start of the session, rain set in and only two thirds of the drivers registered an acceptable qualifying time on track. Eight drivers were below the 107% cut-off, with the marker set by #25 Larry Ten Voorde (NLD/Team GP Elite) at 2:06.908. In spite of this, all the drivers qualified for the race.
It was the teaser for an exceptionally exciting race, with some drivers forced to start from unusually deep in the field. But the decisive moment happened on the front row of the grid in the first few seconds: Dutchman #25 Larry ten Voorde from Team GP Elite did not get the best start from pole position. This left the door open for #3 Laurin Heinrich, who grabbed his chance with both hands – the German won the sprint to the first corner in his approx. 375 kW (510 HP) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the SSR Huber Racing squad, and snatched the lead. Ten Voorde then had to settle in behind #6 Harry King. However, before the end of the first lap, the Dutchman reclaimed second place from the local hero driving for BWT Lechner Racing.
A race full of spectacular manoeuvres.
Most of the battles took place in the middle of the field – and sometimes the losers paid a heavier price than just losing points. #19 Dorian Boccolacci (FRA/Martinet by Alméras) had to retire with suspension damage after a collision with #16 Simone Iaquinta (ITA/Dinamic Motorsport). Rookie #17 Loek Hartog (NDL/Ombra Racing), who started the race in 27th place, secured a 10th place finish, and valuable insights into how and where to overtake at Silverstone.
Victory in the Rookie Classification went to #7 Bastian Buus (DNK/BWT Lechner Racing), who passed British Rookie #9 Lorcan Hanafin (FACH AUTO TECH) in a manoeuvre worth seeing, shortly before the finish.
Harry King was the fastest Brit, in third place. He had to defend his position against his BWT Lechner Racing teammate Dylan Pereira throughout the race.
The winner's trophy in the ProAm Classification went to a Brit – on British soil: #23 Aaron Mason (Pierre Martinat by Alméras) left his teammate and current ProAM leader #21 Roar Lindland and #11 Clément Mateu (FRA/CLRT) trailing in his wake.
It's season half-time at the next race in Spielberg. The 4th Round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will be held on the occasion of the Formula 1 Grosser Preis von Österreich – and promises to be a hotly contested mountain festival at the Red Bull Ring, because of the close points standings. Be part of it!
