Porsche Penske Motorsport Faces Challenges in Qatar Season Opener

Porsche Penske Motorsport faced a challenging start to the 2023 season at the Qatar Grand Prix with both cars experiencing major setbacks. Technical difficulties resulted in a tenth-place finish for the number 5 car, while the number 6 car finished eleventh. Customer teams also struggled. The results prompt a need for performance improvements as the team prepares for Imola.

The 2023 season opener for Porsche Penske Motorsport at the Qatar Grand Prix faced challenges, starting under sunny conditions but rapidly changing to darkness as temperatures fell. The 5.419-kilometre circuit in Doha provided tough competition for teams, particularly with fluctuating track conditions that affected performance.

Porsche’s number 5 car, driven by Julien Andlauer, Mathieu Jaminet, and Michael Christensen, encountered significant setbacks including a tyre puncture that led to an unscheduled pit stop. Although they rallied back to initially secure fifth place due to a safety car period, a second puncture and rear damper issues relegated them to a tenth-place finish, earning two championship points.

The sister car, number 6, piloted by Laurens Vanthoor, Kévin Estre, and Matt Campbell, faced difficulties early on when a collision required a rear wing replacement, ultimately finishing in eleventh. Team Head Urs Kuratle noted the contrasting fortunes compared to the prior year’s podium finish, while Managing Director Jonathan Diuguid expressed disappointment, stating they deserved a better outcome despite the complexities of the race.

In the customer teams’ category, Porsche’s Proton Competition team struggled too, finishing in 15th due to brake issues that affected their performance. In the LMGT3 class, Manthey’s 911 GT3 R cars lacked speed on the Qatar circuit, with the first car finishing twelfth and the Iron Dames thirteenth.

Drivers reflected on their challenging experiences during the race. Michael Christensen remarked on the exhausting competition, while Laurens Vanthoor expressed disappointment at the result compared to the previous year. Neel Jani acknowledged improvements but noted that brake problems affected their race. Michelle Gatting found joy in driving despite performance shortcomings, and Richard Lietz emphasized the need for speed enhancements ahead of the next race.

Porsche Penske Motorsport’s opening race in Qatar presented significant challenges, with both hybrid prototypes facing unexpected setbacks. Despite initial promising positions, technical issues and tough competition led to a disappointing outcome. The team aims to refine their performance as they prepare for the next round in Imola, emphasizing a commitment to improvement moving forward.

Original Source: newsroom.porsche.com