In the lead of both Drivers classifications in the Porsche Carrera Cup France, this weekend was the Sébastien Loeb Racing’s third participation of the season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Following on Barcelona and Spa, Dominique Heintz and Sébastien Loeb’s team took its first steps on the legendary Autodromo di Monza with two 911 GT3 Cup. After a discovering phase consisting of free practice sessions and qualifying, Maxime Jousse and Roar Lindland performed two great catching up during the race. Max was just shy of the Top 10 while Roar, usually racing in b-class in France, ranked twentieth within a pack of 39 cars.
Weekend report.
Though a fine 911 GT3 Cup expert, Monza circuit on board of that car was a first for Maxime Jousse. Following on an encouraging performance during the single free practice sessions, he reached the Top 20 while Roar Lindland ranked 30th. Focused on the car set up in race mode, the two men continued on working this way during keenly-fought qualifying sessions: indeed, 20 of the 39 cars were less than a second apart from each other! Facing a strong traffic, making slipstreaming difficult, Max started from rows 10th and 9th, while Roar stood in 15th and 14th. Current Porsche Carrera Cup France leader, Max managed to move up within the hierarchy twice. The young French driver caught up with five contenders in Race 1, ending up in 14th place. He did even better in Race 2, going from the 17th position to the 11th under the chequered flag, with a pace that could have allowed him to fight within the Top10.
As for Roar, he also distinguished himself. The Norwegian driver managed to find a gap and overtook seven other contenders in the first round. However, during the last laps, another driver got in his way and Roar lost several places, crossing the finish line 26th. He had a good pace in the second round and climbed from the 27th row to the 20th.
What they’ve said.
Maxime Jousse, 14th and 11th: “I’d never driven the 911 GT3 Cup in Monza and the team didn’t know this circuit either. Because of shortened free practice sessions, we were still finding our bearings during the qualifying. I was hoping for a little more but I shouldn’t underestimate the level of the Supercup or what needs to be learnt. Both races were quite positive, with good fights, a nice catching up in the first round and an even better one in the second round. I’m learning the right lessons and I want to thank the team and partners who have given me the opportunity to drive here. This will be a very useful experience for the future, whether in the short term with the end of the season in France where the title is at stake, or in the mid-term with a view to returning in Supercup.”
Roar Lindland, 26th and 20th: “Same feelings as in Spa. We’re not racing with the same conditions as the Supercup’s regular contenders and we need a certain time to find our bearings in the free practice sessions and the qualifying. We’ve performed well during both races, relying on a good pace. I got blocked by another car in the first race, that’s a shame because I’d gained several places. The second race was even more positive, I had a good feeling. I managed to catch up with many contenders and I could have done even more. It’s interesting to end up in the middle of the pack, 20th out of 39, having posted the 17th time. We’re participating in a series of Supercup and Cup France races, with good performances, that’s motivating for what’s coming next.”
Next round for the Sébastien Loeb Racing will be in Japan with the World Touring Car Championship resuming. In Motegi, Mehdi Bennani will take to the track with the Citroën C-Elysée. Moreover the team will also bring its operational support to Ma Qing Hua’s car, entered by Citroën Racing.