Porsche’s GT Team extended its world championship lead with a win in the 1,000-mile race at Sebring…
SPORTS CAR WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Prior to the headline 12-Hours of Sebring (see left) comes the 1,000- mile race – round six of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC). Capped at eight hours, the race before the other race saw Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz finish first in Florida with their No91 911 RSR – a factory entry run by Manthey-Racing.
Bruni and Lietz were running in second place when rain set in about 25 minutes before the end of the race, the conditions forced an extra pit stop on the field which the No91 crew capitalise to take the race lead. The win sees the duo move into second place in the championship standings for drivers.
Having started on pole the sister entry, the No.92 911 RSR, of Kévin Estre and Michael Christensen had a troubled early part of the race. At the start Estre collided with an opponent and incurring a stop-and-go penalty as a result. With overtaking on the bumpy 3.7-mile circuit extremely difficult, the No.92 RSR finished in fifth place, however, with just two races remaining of the season’s eight, Estre and Christensen retain a clear championship lead. In the manufacturer’s standings Porsche has now further extended its lead.
A clearly ecstatic Gianmaria Bruni commented: “It’s a fantastic result for us drivers and for Porsche. The way the team managed to catapult us to the front at the last pit stop was simply sensational. This shows just how special our crew is. The fact that we were able to win the 1,000-mile race at the return of the WEC to Sebring is incredible. For me personally it’s even more special: it’s the first time I’ve won a race for Porsche. That means so much to me…”
Kévin Estre added: “What a huge race. Our car was really strong, but unfortunately we didn’t get ahead because of an incident. I was locked in a fight with an Aston Martin and had the better line out the corner and wanted to go for it. I touched him slightly and he spun – my mistake. The penalty cost us a possible victory and many points. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s still a shame.”
