Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rounds 10 & 11 at the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi/UAE René Rast improves his title chance

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rounds 10 & 11 at the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi/UAE

René Rast improves his title chance

Stuttgart. At the finale of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Abu Dhabi, front runner René Rast remains on course to claim the title: In qualifying on the ultra-modern Yas Marina Circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the title defender of VELTINS Lechner Racing posted the second quickest time and takes up the first of two final races on Saturday from the first grid row. Pole position went to Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), winner of the previous race in Monza and title holder of the BBS rookie classification as the best newcomer to the world’s fastest international one-make race series. With his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, René Rast has still managed to further improve his chance to take home the title. In the grid line for the second race on Sunday, for which the second best qualifying time of each driver is counted, the reigning champion from Germany starts from pole position. With the two extra points that are awarded for pole, he now sits 19 points ahead of his strongest rival Kuba Giermaziak. The VERVA Racing pilot from Poland, winner of the rounds in Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps, takes up Saturday’s race from the tenth grid spot. René Rast also managed to leave his other title rivals behind him. Austria’s Norbert Siedler, his teammate who currently ranks third in the overall standings, qualified behind Britain’s Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) in fourth. Jeroen Bleekemolen (Abu Dhabi by tolimit) from the Netherlands and his teammate from Britain, Sean Edwards, who also theoretically hold slight title chances, occupied positions six and seven. Kévin Estre (poleman/grid position 2): “That was a perfect qualifying, a lap without the slightest mistake and that’s not easy on this circuit. I’ve never driven here before. So, to start from pole is a superb result. Now I hope I can conclude an already successful season in a fitting way.” René Rast (grid position 2/poleman): “I went well on my first set of tyres, but I messed up with the second set. I was going for my best time and made an error which cost me a lot of time. Still, with the two extra points for pole position in the second race, my position looks really good. Now I just have to reach the flag well and the title should be in the bag.” Nick Tandy (grid position 3/grid position 2): “I’m happy. These two races will certainly be very interesting. Of course I’d love to finish up the season with a victory. In race two, where I start from the first grid row, my chances look good.” Grid line-up race 1 1. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 2:12.007 minutes 2. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.033 seconds 3. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.065 4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.401 5. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.553 6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 0.585 Grid line-up race 2 1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 2:12.162 minutes 2. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.083 seconds 3. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.351 4. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.691 5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 0.668 6. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.688 TV stations Eurosport and Sky will broadcast the two final races in Abu Dhabi live: Race 1 is televised on 12 November at 12.15 hours on Sky and at 12.25 hrs on Eurosport, with race 2 on 13 November at 11.30 hrs on Sky and at 11.45 hrs on Eurosport. Eurosport shows highlights of the races on 13 November at 23.00 hours in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin” programme.

Public Relations and Media Motorsportpress Oliver Hilger