Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Virtual Edition, Races 3 + 4, Silverstone/Great Britain
Porsche Junior Güven and ten Voorde deliver spectacular duels
After turning the fastest lap in qualifying, Güven took up the first 25-minute race from pole position. In a turbulent early phase with several collisions, ten Voorde, however, kept his cool and snatched the lead. The pair broke away from the field and battled amongst themselves for the lead to the last lap. Shortly before the flag, Güven made the decisive move, both vehicles touched, sending the GP elite driver ten Voorde into a spin. Güven swept over the finish line ahead of the 23-year-old Dutchman. “My start wasn’t great, but afterwards I was really fast and was rewarded for it. In terms of the championship, it was great race day for me,” concluded Güven.
Behind the two youngsters, a duel for third place treated viewers to plenty of action: Max van Splunteren (NL/Team GP Elite) underlined his skill in the fight against Porsche works driver Nick Tandy (ExxonMobil Oil Corporation). At his home race, the British factory pilot initially searched in vain for a gap, eventually found it in lap seven and took the flag in third place. “In my rear-view mirror, I saw Nick Tandy getting closer and closer. I tried everything to fend him off but he was just a little faster,” said van Splunteren. Finishing fourth overall, the 24-year-old won the rookie class. The ProAm classification went to Stephen Grove (AUS/Team Australia).
Race two of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Virtual Edition on the 5,891-kilometre racetrack was characterised by a dramatic final phase. Frontrunner Güven defended himself against ten Voorde’s repeated attacks over the distance, however, in the final lap the 22-year-old Turkish driver had to lap a slower vehicle. Ten Voorde grabbed his chance, squeezed past and won the race. “That was an exciting race day with a lot of spectacular action. I really put the pressure on during the entire second race. In the end, it paid off. Still, I had a bit of luck on my side in the final lap,” said ten Voorde.
Third place went to Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing). The Luxembourger snatched a podium spot after winning the duel against Leon Köhler (D/Lechner Racing Middle East). “Dylan Pereira was a bit faster than I was, otherwise I could have finished on the podium. I’d prepared intensively for Silverstone so I’m really pleased with such a good result,” declared Köhler. Fourth overall handed the 20-year-old Lechner driver the rookie class victory. Philipp Sager (A/Dinamic Motorsport) crossed the finish line first in the ProAm classification.
The double-header event for Porsche Junior Jaxon Evans (NZ/Momo Megatron Lechner Racing) proved tumultuous. The youngster finished race one in fifth followed by sixth in the second event. “I started race one from position three which was a great grid spot, but then I made a few mistakes. In the second race, I spun early and lost several positions. But I managed to fight my way back and earn some important points,” stated the New Zealander.
In the overall rankings, Güven and ten Voorde continue to share the lead with 90 points each. Races five and six of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Virtual Edition will be contested on 25 April, with the drivers battling for honours on the virtual Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The real Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup made its debut on the 7.004-kilometre racetrack in the Walloon region of Belgium in 1993. The tradition-steeped circuit is famous for its fast passages Eau Rouge and Blanchimont as well as the hairpin corner La Source.
Results
Silverstone, race 3 of 8
1. Ayhancan Güven (TR/Martinet by Alméras)
2. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite)
3. Nick Tandy (GB/ExxonMobil Oil Corporation)
4. Max van Splunteren (NL/Team GP Elite)
5. Jaxon Evans (NZ/Momo Megatron Lechner Racing)
Silverstone, race 4 of 8
1. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite)
2. Ayhancan Güven (TR/Martinet by Alméras)
3. Dylan Pereira (L/BWT Lechner Racing)
4. Leon Köhler (D/Lechner Racing Middle East)
5. Nick Tandy (GB/ExxonMobil Oil Corporation)
Bernard Van Bellingen
PR Manager, Porsche Import
