In 2022, Robert Lechner's team won almost every title that could be won in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. This season, the Austrians are aiming to repeat that success – but without reigning Porsche Supercup Champion Dylan Pereira.
Anyone who follows the Porsche Supercup cannot ignore the name Lechner Racing. The successful team from Austria has been competing in the Porsche Supercup for 20 years and can claim 12 wins in the Team Classification alone. In addition, they have won several champion's titles in the overall standings. Last year, #1 Bastian Buus (DNK) completed a unique winning streak in the Rookie Classification to become Rookie Champion. In the 2023 season, he will compete as a newly appointed Porsche Junior. We spoke to Walter Lechner in Imola ahead of the season about what the team expects from the young talent and what role the other two drivers, 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Champion #2 Harri Jones (AUS) and #3 Harry King (GBR), will play in the points chase.
A few questions for the team manager.
Servus Walter!
Lechner Racing has won almost everything there is to win in the Porsche Supercup 2022. How are you going to top that?
This year marks our 20th anniversary in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. It all started when I joined the Porsche Supercup in 2003 and twenty years later we are the most successful team in the series – with twelve Team Classification and nine Overall Classification titles. Winning almost every classification last year was a great team effort – but it was also quite difficult. It will be even harder to stay at the top and repeat this winning streak in 2023 – but that is our goal. We will do our best, but I think it will be a challenge for us because the competition is quite strong.
Dylan Pereira has been racing for Lechner Racing for quite some time now. Why won't he be racing with you this year?
Well – when you become a Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Champion, you should aim for a higher level in motorsport. Dylan has done a great job. He drove for Lechner Racing for six seasons and we are very happy that he won the title last year. But I think it is time for him to step up and leave the world of one-make series for something like Le Mans, for example. We wish him all the best for the future.
Bastian was the most outstanding rookie talent last year. What do you expect from him as a Porsche Junior?
Basti was a big surprise for us last season. We knew he was fast, but when we started the season we were impressed that he was spot on from the very first race weekend. He had a season where he had no pressure and came into the series as a rookie. Now he's a Porsche Junior with more pressure on his shoulders, but I think he's a strong character. Personally, I am looking forward to a good season and I think he will be very competitive. Also, he will be even better prepared this season with the help of the Porsche Junior programme.
Harri and Harry on your team – what's the biggest difference between them, apart from dialect?
I think it is mainly height, because Harry King is slightly shorter than Harri Jones ;-) But all joking aside, I don't think you can compare the two drivers. Harri Jones came from Australia as the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion and has already done a great job in testing and in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East. I think it will be quite a learning season for him as he has to get to know all the European Formula 1 circuits that we race on.
On the other hand, there's Harry King with a wealth of experience. This is his third year in the world of one-make series and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – and he drove some good races for us last year. This season he will certainly have to deliver and he will be very strong next to Bastian. Personally, I am looking forward to a good time with all three drivers, lots of good results – and hopefully some wins.
What do you think are the most important qualities that a driver needs to succeed in this competitive series?
You have to be mentally and physically fit. You need to be well prepared before you start in the Porsche one-make series. It's always a mixture of the team, the driver and the environment. So from the Lechner Racing side we really try to see what the driver needs and how we can help him progress and get the best out of him. With that in mind, we have a really good package this season – with drivers who have everything they need to be very successful.
Thanks a lot for the talk, Walter.
