In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Kuba Giermaziak (PL/VERVA Lechner Racing Team) fulfilled a dream. The 23-year-old Pole scored victory on the storied street circuit in Monaco. Crossing the finish line in second and third respectively were Philipp Eng (A/Team Project 1) and Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner Racing Team). At the award ceremony beneath the famous royal box, the top three received not only trophies but an abundance of champagne. “I was feeling so stressed before the race because I so wanted this victory for me and my team. We worked late into the night tweaking the set-up and now I’m over the moon about my first win in Monaco,” said Giermaziak.
Giermaziak took off from pole position and controlled the race at the front. Behind him the other competitors lined up in their 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers like pearls on a string. Although Eng was at times quicker than the leader, he was still unable to get past the Pole. Giermaziak withstood the pressure and drove an immaculate race to the flag. For the Lechner pilot, this marks the third victory and ninth podium result so far in his Supercup career. With a total of 36 points after claiming second at both Barcelona and Monaco, Eng now heads the overall standings. “I’m now leading the championship and that’s a fantastic feeling. Monaco is the most emotional of all the circuits that I’ve ever competed on. Ever metre here is something very special,” Eng explained.
The native of Bavaria Ammermüller was also pleased with his third place: “I simply couldn’t do any better on this narrow circuit.” Porsche junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport) brought home an impressive fourth place as the best rookie. “I managed to score vital points at my first every Monaco race and fourth is a fantastic result,” said de Phillippi. Britain’s Ben Barker (VERVA Lechner Racing Team) was pleased with fifth place and underlined his consistency in his second Supercup season after clinching third at Barcelona. Contesting his maiden year as a Porsche Junior, Sven Müller managed to score success at the Cote d’Azur, achieving a commendable sixth place. “What an exciting race! It was really tough driving here – you need utmost concentration. Still I had a great time and the result is simply super,” said the 22-year-old German.
The winner of the International Cup Scholarship Earl Bamber (NZ/Fach Auto Tech) was one of the very few who managed to overtake during the first lap. He took up the race from tenth on the grid and overtook Porsche junior Klaus Bachler (A/Konrad Motorsport) to finish ninth. “My start was really good and so was the car’s speed. Now I’m looking forward to the next race in Spielberg.” Bachler, however, still managed to post the fastest race lap in 1:37.616 minutes. “Turning the fastest lap shows that the pace is there,” analysed Bachler.
After an accident in qualifying which saw him start from position 26, Porsche junior Alex Riberas (Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing) took the chance to gain experience on the unique circuit. At the flag he ranked 20th. “My options were somewhat limited so far back, but I’m sitting ninth in the championship and that makes me feel positive,” said the 20-year-old Spaniard after the race. In the championship, Eng leads with 36 points ahead of Giermaziak with 28. Barker ranks third also with 28 points and Bamber sits fourth with 27 points.
The next round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is contested from 20 to 22 June in Spielberg, Austria. This is the first time in eleven years that the Formula 1 races there and for Bachler the Red Bull Ring is a home race. The 22-year-old lives just 20 kilometres from the hilly circuit in Styria. Austria’s Christopher Zöchling (Konrad Motorsport), Clemens Schmid (Lechner Racing Team) and Eng also want to show their home crowd what they can do. The 4.326 kilometre circuit has been home turf for the Austrian teams under Walter Lechner Senior and Walter Lechner Junior for many years. Another team boss Franz Konrad moved to Germany but was born in Styria. “Of course I’m looking forward to Spielberg. It’s a great track and only about 70 kilometres from my birthplace of Graz. We look forward to our many Austrian fans.”
Results
Round 2 Monte Carlo/Monaco
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL/VERVA Lechner Racing Team)
2. Philipp Eng (A/Team Project 1)
3. Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner Racing Team)
4. Connor de Phillippi (USA/FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport)
5. Ben Barker (GB/VERVA Lechner Racing Team)
6. Sven Müller (D/Team Project 1)
7. Robert Lukas (USA/FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport)
8. Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport)
9. Earl Bamber (NZ/Fach Auto Tech)
10. Klaus Bachler (A/Konrad Motorsport)
Points standings after 2 of 10 races
Driver
1. Philipp Eng (A/Team Project 1), 36 points
2. Kuba Giermaziak (PL/VERVA Lechner Racing Team), 28
3. Ben Barker (GB/VERVA Lechner Racing Team), 28
4. Earl Bamber (NZ/Fach Auto Tech), 27
5. Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport), 22
