WTCC: MULLER AND MENU MAKE TWO WINS FOR CHEVROLET

MULLER AND MENU MAKE TWO WINS FOR CHEVROLET

Yvan Muller and Alain Menu scored another two victories for Chevrolet, increasing the manufacturer’s tally in the current season to 11 out of 14.In the first race the reigning world champion pipped pole sitter Gabriele Tarquini at the start and resisted the Italian’s and Rob Huff’s comeback in the last laps.Menu played the part of comic books hero Michel Vaillant in a perfect way and dominated the second race in his Chevrolet in Vaillante disguise.These results meant that Chevrolet stretched further the leading margin in the Manufacturers’ Championship to 189 points.In the Drivers’ Championship Muller made another small step forward, scoring eight and two points more than Huff and Menu. The Frenchman now has an 18-point lead on Huff, while Menu lies 37points adrift.The fight for the best of the rest between Tom Coronel and Gabriele Tarquini is also becoming hotter. They both finished once on the podium today, but Tarquini’s withdrawal in the second race gave the Dutchman an eight-point edge.In the Yokohama Trophy Norbert Michelisz won the first race, but the hero of the day was Pepe Oriola who managed to beat Coronel to second overall in Race 2. It was the best result ever for the Spanish teenager in WTCC.The championship takes now a 50-day break, while cars and parts are being shipped to Brazil. Rounds 15 and 16 will take place at Curitiba on July 22.

Drivers' Championship

• 1. Yvan MULLER 245 pt.
• 2. Rob HUFF 227 pt.
• 3. Alain MENU 210 pt.
• 4. Tom CORONEL 140 pt.
• 5. Gabriele TARQUINI 134 pt.
• 6. Pepe ORIOLA 107 pt.
• 7. Norbert MICHELISZ 106 pt.
• 8. Stefano D'ASTE 84 pt.
• 9. Tiago MONTEIRO 45 pt.
• 10. Mehdi BENNANI 43 pt.

Manufacturers' Championship

• 1. Chevrolet 578 pt.
• 2. BMW Customer Racing Teams 389 pt.
• 3. SEAT Customer Technology 370 pt.

Yokohama Drivers' Trophy

• 1. Pepe ORIOLA 106 pt.
• 2. Norbert MICHELISZ 96 pt.
• 3. Stefano D'ASTE 73 pt.

Yokohama Teams' Trophy

• 1. ROAL Motorsport 118 pt.
• 2. Tuenti Racing Team 108 pt.
• 3. Lukoil Racing Team 77 pt.

Fabio Ravaioli/Media Press Delegate.

Marc VDS BMW grabs fourth straight win while Blancpain-Reiter Lamborghini duo reign in PRO-AM

	Silverstone, Britain: AT THE FLAG
Marc VDS BMW grabs fourth straight win while Blancpain-Reiter Lamborghini duo reign in PRO-AM
Blancpain Endurance Series - Race PRO CUP - Top Three 1  M Palttala (FIN)/B Leinders (BEL)/ M Martin (BEL)  3:00:04.708   73 LAPS     3, Marc VDS Racing Team (BEL) BMW Z4             2  A Piccini (ITA)/L Vanthoor (BEL)/E Sandstrom (SWE) 3:00:59.500   +54.792    2, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT (BEL)    Audi R8 LMS Ultra 3  C Haase (DEU)/C Mies (DEU)/ S Ortelli (MON)        3:01:59.188   +55.480    1, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT (BEL)    Audi R8 LMS Ultra PRO-AM CUP - Top Three 1  M A. Hayek (CHE)/P Kox (NLD)                       3:01:59.345   73 Laps    24, Blancpain Reiter (DEU) Lamborghini LP600+             2  E Amos (ITA)/A Bonacini (ITA)/G Petrobelli (ITA)   3:02:21.291   +21.946    57, Vita4One Team Italy (ITA) Ferrari 458 Italia 3  J Wakefield (GBR)/A Ceccato (ITA)/M Lyons (GBR)    3:00:17.115   +1 LAP    59, Vita4One Team Italy (ITA) Ferrari 458 Italia Gentleman Trophy - Top Three 1  M Bender (SWE)/J Brunstedt (SWE)/J Mangs           3:01:17.247   69 Laps    98, JB Motorsport (SWE) Audi R8 LMS             2  R Hissom (GBR)/P Hirschi (CHE)                     3:01:18.553   +1.306    41, Sainteloc Racing (FRA) Audi R8 LMS 3  P Paladino (VEN)/P Andreasi (VEN)/B Caccia (CHE)   3:01:41.432   +2 LAPS    73, Kessel Racing (ITA) Ferrari 430 Scuderia
The Marc VDS Racing BMW Z4 of Markus Palttala (FIN) and Belgian pair Bas Leinders and Maxime Martin recorded their second-straight victory in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series with a stunning performance at Silverstone. Second was the No.2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 of Andrea Piccini (ITA), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) and Edward Sandstrom (SWE) with the sister Audi, theNo.1 of Christopher Haase (DEU), Christopher Mies (DEU) and Stephane Ortelli (MCO). At the finish, Martin, doing the final stint, was over a minute clear on a rain-soaked Silverstone circuit. In all, it was the fourth straight PRO CUP win for the Marc VDS team. They opened the 2012 season with an equally impressive victory in Monza in the first round. Prior to that, wins also came at Magny Cours and at the season-finale at Silverstone in 2011. Team manager Leinders was delighted with the win. “It was a great team effort again. Four wins in a row is incredible,” he said. “We worked flat out all winter, concentrating on improving the cars with BMW Motorsport. The team is very concentrated on our aims every single week. “We don’t always have the fastest car on track although it seems like it. We just strive to bring everything together – the strategy, the drivers, mechanics, the engineers, the pit stops – everything has been pushed to the limit to produce results like this. “Both Markus and Max did great stints and again we didn’t make any mistakes. The pit stops were excellent again which helped us get to the front. We work hard training to get them right and it shows in the race.” Victory in the PRO-AM class went to Peter Kox (NLD) and Marc A. Hayek (CHE) in the Blancpain Reiter Lamborghini LP600. The pair were fourth overall. Second in the class was the No.57 Vita4One Team Italy Ferrari 458 Italia of Italian trio Eugenio Amos, Alessandro Bonacini and Giacomo Petrobelli just ahead of their Vita4One Italy Ferrari stablemates Josh Wakefield (GBR), Andrea Ceccato (ITA) and Michael Lyons (GBR). In the Gentleman Trophy class, honours went to the No.98 JB Motorsport Audi R8 LMS of Swedes Mikael Bender, Jan Brunstedt and Jocke Mangs. Second was the Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS No.41 of Robert Hissom (GBR) and Pierre Hirschi (CHE) with the No.73 Kessel Racing Ferrari 430 Scuderia of Paolo Andreasi (VEN), Pablo Paladino (VEN) and Beniamino Caccia (CHE) third.
How to follow the Blancpain Endurance Series: Online: Live streaming of each race will also be shown on the official web site www.blancpainendurance-series.com Watch the 2012 season preview on the Blancpain Endurance Series Youtube channel. Read David Addison’s blog Moonlighting at www.blancpain-endurance-series.com Television: The series will feature in live broadcast across 22 channels globally with a number of other key broadcasters showing extended highlights in territories such as Europe, Australia, North America and Latin America. Bloomberg Television will also broadcast highlights worldwide (Americas, Pan Euro, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific). That all adds up to a global audience reach of over 350 million homes. Motors TV will carry live coverage to viewers in over 20 countries across Europe. Cameron Kelleher Head of Communications SRO Motorsports Group Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on the upper floor of his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains. By inscribing his name in the official communal property register, this pioneer created an establishment that is now the world’s oldest watch brand. Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured. From the first models created in the 18th century to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing. Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications. The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L- evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Sport collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation on land, under water or in the air. While remaining unswervingly loyal to its values, Blancpain regularly associates with partners that share its passion for excellence. Whether in the field of motorsports, sailing, scuba diving, or that of gastronomy and the art of living, the Manufacture is proud of its partnerships that represent far more than mere co-branding. On the contrary, Blancpain commits itself fully to such forms of cooperation by joining forces with its partners in a determination to excel and to foster both creativity and authenticity. www.blancpain.com

First triumph of the new Audi A5 DTM

First triumph of the new Audi A5 DTM

Edoardo Mortara celebrates premiere victory in the DTM First victory for Audi Sport Team Rosberg Mattias Ekström improves to second place in the standings

Ingolstadt/Spielberg, June 3, 2012 - Huge joy at Audi Sport Team Rosberg: After starting from the pole position, the Italian Edoardo Mortara won the fourth round of the 2012 DTM at the Red Bull Ring in Austria in front of 48,500 spectators (throughout the weekend). The new Audi A5 DTM thus celebrated its first victory. Mattias Ekström improved to second place in the standings.

The Red Bull Ring is apparently a good track for premieres. After Audi Sport Team Phoenix had clinched its first DTM success at Spielberg last year, which laid the foundation for the subsequent title win, the time had come for Audi Sport Team Rosberg - the team founded by ex-Formula One World Champion Keke Rosberg - to do so this year - in an extremely thrilling race.

Despite a less than perfect start Edoardo Mortara in his Playboy Audi A5 DTM entered turn one as the race leader and controlled the pace at the front of the field throughout the entire 47 laps. After the second mandatory pit stop, Mortara had to fend off attacks by leader of the standings Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW) which involved a number of fierce duels. Mortara kept his cool in both attacks, though, managed to work out a small cushion again and ultimately crossed the finish line as the winner with a 1.068-second advantage.

"That was a fantastic weekend," beamed "Edo" after taking his first victory in what was only his 14th DTM race. "My first pole position yesterday and my first victory today - I’m simply super-happy. ‘Thank you’ to Audi Sport and ‘thank you’ to Team Rosberg - my guys worked incredibly hard in the past few weeks and months. This is the first reward today. I’m hoping for things to continue this way because I think we learned a lot here at Spielberg and made a major step forward. The battle with Gary (Paffett) was tough - but when you’re in contention for victory you won’t give in easily."

Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline), too, had to fight hard for his fourth place which caused him to improve from third to second place in the standings. At the start, the Swede had taken the lead in his Red Bull Audi A5 DTM but then dropped all the way to fifth place in the commotion of the hectic first lap. He immediately managed to overtake Mercedes driver Jamie Green again, closed the gap to Gary Paffett in the final phase but could not pass him anymore.

An impressive race and the fastest lap were driven by Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi A5 DTM). The two-time DTM Champion advanced from position 16 on the grid to sixth place despite having to run through the gravel trap once after being hit by Augusto Farfus.

Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM/Audi Sport Team Phoenix) and Filipe Albuquerque (TV Movie Audi A5 DTM) thrilled the spectators with remarkable overtaking maneuvers as well. On positions seven and eight they caused a total of five A5 DTM cars to finish in the points.

A strong performance was also shown by Rahel Frey (E-POSTBRIEF Audi A5 DTM), who maintained her mid-field position before dropping to 15th place after a drive-through penalty imposed on her for having exceeded the speed limit in the pit lane.

Miguel Molina was forced to park his Red Bull Audi A5 DTM early after 17 laps after having been bumped several times. Even shorter was the race of Adrien Tambay (Audi ultra A5 DTM). The youngster was forced into the grass on the starting lap and had to retire.

"Winning such a thrilling race is particularly enjoyable," commented Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "That was first-class advertisement for the DTM, for the Red Bull Ring and for Audi. Our A5 DTM was the measure of all things here. We were running in front in all the practice sessions, posted the fastest race lap and ‘Edo’ perfectly converted his first pole position into his first victory. He had to fight a hard battle for this success that was a very important one for all of us. In the past few weeks, the entire team intensively worked on making us return to the very top of the DTM. Congratulations also to Audi Sport Team Rosberg that has been waiting for this day for a long time and worked hard for it as well."
Audi Sport. 

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, race 7 in Spielberg/Austria Pole to flag victory for Sean Edwards

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, race 7 in Spielberg/Austria

Pole to flag victory for Sean Edwards

Stuttgart. Only at the start did pole-sitter Sean Edwards have to fear for his position at the lead. Taking up race seven of the Carrera Cup Deutschland season from the second grid spot, Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing) pulled alongside the Deutsche Post by tolimit pilot from Great Britain at the entrance to the first corner. Edwards, however, did not open the door to the Frenchman. Estre braked too late, had to take the wider line – and Edwards pushed through to defend his lead. The reigning vice-champion pulled ahead to bring home his third win of the season. Kévin Estre followed him over the finish line in second, with René Rast (Germany, Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) finishing the 19-lap race on the 4.326 kilometre Red Bull Ring in third.

The top drivers of Sunday’s race reflect the top positions of the overall classification. Carrera Cup newcomer Estre, who has already notched up a win on the Nürburgring as well as two second places this season, travels to races eight and nine on the Norisring in Nuremberg as the points’ leader. Sean Edwards now ranks second overall, followed closely by his teammate René Rast, who lost the top spot yesterday. The two-time champion of the international Porsche Mobil1 Supercup came from sixth on the grid and in a perfectly prepared and executed overtaking manoeuvre he bagged first the winner of race six, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (Konrad Motorsport), followed by Denmark’s Nicki Thiim.

In a repeat of Saturday’s race, Lausitzring winner Thiim again clinched fourth. Driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, the Dane has now moved into fourth overall in the championship standings and now has to concentrate on making up the 25 points to the leader in the second half of the season. Norbert Siedler, the current top man of the Porsche Supercup, saw the flag at his home race in fifth. Sixth across the line was a driver who only joined the Carrera Cup at the second race weekend and for whom the rollercoaster circuit in Spielberg is obviously very familiar. David Jahn from Germany took up the race in the 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Attempto Racing in eleventh and gave an impressive performance with inspired overtaking manoeuvres.

The two Porsche Juniors also did themselves proud. Both got away cleanly at the start and made up places. After claiming a surprising third place from Saturday’s race, local hero Klaus Bachler (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) came from tenth to finish a commendable seventh. After a fluffed qualifying, Konrad Motorsport pilot Michael Christensen started the race from only twelfth. The Dane fought valiantly, especially in the closing laps, against seasoned campaigner Jaap van Lagen (FE Racing by Land-Motorsport), who finished last year’s Spielberg race in first place. Skilfully, the junior fended off the Dutchman’s attacks to finally secure eighth place. Van Lagen finished in ninth with Austria’s Clemens Schmid (SWITCH IT Lechner Racing) claiming tenth at his home event.

The seventh race of the season was interrupted by a safety car phase which lasted five laps. In the first race lap, Christina Nielsen (Denmark, Farnbacher ESET Racing) unluckily became wedged between two rivals. When her 911 crashed into the barriers, the vehicle was so badly damaged it had to be towed to the pits.

This evening TV station Sport1 broadcasts Sunday’s Carrera Cup race from 20.30 hours. On June 4th, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 broadcasts Carrera Cup highlights on Saturday 9 June, from 17.00 to 17.30 hours.

Sean Edwards (winner): “Now that was a really great race. I’m really thrilled about my win. My start wasn’t that great, and that’s why Kévin pulled alongside me. But he braked too late for the corner so I was able to defend my lead. After the safety car phase we pulled clear of the rest of the field. Kévin was just as fast but he didn’t get a chance to overtake. At the half way point I was a little quicker and was able to then control the race.”

Kévin Estre (second): “I got away better at the start than Sean, but I made a braking error in the first corner, dived inside on the dirty side, lost grip and had to take the wider line. Of course that gave Sean the lead. At first I could match his pace, but later he picked up speed. So I just concentrated on bringing home a safe second. It’s very cool to go to the Norisring as the points’ leader.”

René Rast (third): “Damage control I would say. From sixth on the grid to finish in third is okay. All in all it was a fair race, the overtaking manoeuvres were perfect. I have to work on my qualifying performance. It’s taking me too long to get into the swing of things. Now I’ve unfortunately lost my points’ lead but the season is still long. So I’m feeling confident that I can still secure the title.”

Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, seventh): “I’m feeling just great. To have finished in third and seventh at my two home races is just fantastic. After a good start today I was running in seventh place. After the safety car phase I was sixth. I tried to overtake the guy in front but I didn’t manage it. In the end I secured seventh and was able to build a gap to the driver behind me. It can continue like this.”

Michael Christensen (Porsche Junior, eighth): “Okay, let’s say it like this: I made the most out of a bad grid position and I’m satisfied with that. My start was really good and I was running behind Klaus. But I had Jaap van Lagen breathing down my neck and that kept me busy. Because of that I lost contact to the guys in front. Still, I managed to fend off Jaap and hold on to my position.”

Result race 7
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 33:44.172 minutes
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 1.925 seconds
3. René Rast (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 4.102
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 5.785
5. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, + 6.192
6. David Jahn (D), Attempto Racing, + 7.222
7. Klaus Bachler (A), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 8.255
8. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, + 11.270
9. Jaap van Lagen (NL), FE Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 11.637
10. Clemens Schmid (A), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 12.078

Result Amateurs1. Andreas Mayerl (A), Konrad Motorsport, 34:14.782 minutes
2. “Bill Barazetti” (D), MRS GT-Racing, + 8.730 seconds
3. Harrie Kolen (NL), Land-Motorsport, + 14.296

Points’ standings after 7 of 17 races
Drivers’ classification
1. Kévin Estre (F), 106 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 99
3. René Rast (D), 96
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), 81
5. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 75

Team classification
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 199 points
2. Hermes Attempto Racing, 190
3. Konrad Motorsport, 136

Amateur classification
1. “Bill Barazetti” (D), 118 points
2. Wolf Nathan (NL), 106
3. Harrie Kolen (NL), 104

Rookie classification
1. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 106 points
2. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, 63
3. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, 44

Preview to races 8 and 9 on the Norisring
Alone because of its Monaco flair the short 2.3 kilometre Norisring circuit is a highlight on the calendar – for drivers and fans alike. The only street course of the year on 29 June to 1 July races past the famous stone grandstands and past the Dutzendteich. Braking for the Grundig hairpin offers overtaking chances lap after lap and is guaranteed to provide thrills. Last year Kévin Estre was a guest driver in the 2011 Carrera Cup on the Norisring and saw the flag in tenth. With its two straights, two hairpins and one chicane, this is not actually the most demanding circuit on the calendar but it does have its particular challenges with the bumpy and changing surface.

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
Oliver Hilger

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 6 in Spielberg/Austria Siedler clinches home win, Porsche Junior Bachler on third

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 6 in Spielberg/Austria

Siedler clinches home win, Porsche Junior Bachler on third

Stuttgart. Race six of the Porsche Carrera Cup concluded with a big surprise – and with two Austrians on the podium. Norbert Siedler (Konrad Motorsport) not only celebrated a home win on the Red Bull Ring but also pocketed his first ever victory in Germany’s fastest one-make race series. Second place went to Nürburgring winner Kévin Estre (France, Hermes Attempto Racing). With this result, the Carrera Cup rookie now leads the drivers’ classification. Claiming third at just his sixth Carrera Cup race, Porsche Junior Klaus Bachler (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) secured his first podium result. The 20-year-old grew up just 20 kilometres away from the race circuit in the Austrian Styria region.

The result of the race was surprising because the three top drivers who had actually finished the race in positions two, four and five were relegated down the classification list. The reason: Sean Edwards (Great Britain, Team Deutsche Post by tolimit), Jaap van Lagen (Netherlands, FE Racing by Land-Motorsport) and Edward’s teammate René Rast (Germany) plus three other drivers had not sufficiently reduced their speed in a dangerous spot under yellow and as a result were handed a 30 second penalty.

Even without the time penalty, the race result would have been reason enough for celebration for Porsche Junior Bachler. After a faultless and spirited race on the challenging 4.326 kilometre rollercoaster circuit, the 20-year-old lay within striking distance of the leader at the flag in sixth. In winter, Bachler won a two-tiered selection evaluation against worldwide competition and received one of two coveted “scholarship places” as a Porsche Junior in the Carrera Cup Deutschland. The Austrian had launched his career classically at the age of nine in karting. In 2007 he put in a brilliant showing in the Formula Lista with five victories and the Junior title. Two years later he secured vice-championship honours with ten podium places and two victories in the ADAC Formula Masters. Last season, he finished the ATS Formula 3 Cup in third overall after clinching two wins.

Fourth at round six of the season after a somewhat uneventful race went to Lausitzring winner Nicki Thiim (Denmark, Hermes Attempto Racing). Behind Thiim, ex-Formula 1 test driver Michael Ammermüller (Germany, SWITCH IT Lechner Racing) showed consistent form, securing another fifth place in his debut Carrera Cup season.

Porsche Junior Michael Christensen seemed pleased with his sixth place. Previously on the Lausitzring, Christensen had turned heads with his third in both qualifying and the race. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the talented Danish youngster coped well with the Spielberg track during free practice. However, the decisive qualifying did not go as well and he took up the race from twelfth in his 450 hp 911 GT3 Cup based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car.

The drivers on places seven to ten were satisfied with their positions. For all of them, their results at race six were the best so far this season: Philipp Frommenwiler (Switzerland, Attempto Racing) came seventh, Felipe Fernandez Laser (Germany, Farnbacher ESET Racing) secured eighth. Austria’s Matthias Gamauf (Marschall Goebel Racing) was thrilled with ninth at this home race, and Tomas Pivoda (Czech Republic, Konrad Motorsport) claimed the last top ten spot.

The seventh race of the season starts tomorrow at 9.05 hrs and can be seen in high quality live on the official Porsche website (www.porsche.com) – with editorial clips prior to the actual live-streaming, live-timing and a commentary in German and English. On Sunday evening, TV station Sport1 broadcasts the Carrera Cup from 20.30 hours. On 4 June, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 airs Carrera Cup highlights on Saturday 9 June, from 17.00 to 17.30 hours.

Norbert Siedler (winner): “My start was excellent but Sean nipped over in front of me otherwise I would have got past. Then over a couple of laps I pushed him a bit so I could overtake him fairly. Towards the end things became a little more difficult for me because I got oversteer. But in the end, 20 points, winner, it doesn’t get better than that.”

Kévin Estre (second): “I got away cleanly, overtook Philipp Eng and moved into third. I was able to hold on to the position despite having van Lagen pushing from behind. The track heading onto the finish straight was really dirty. I often went off onto the grass – it was like rallying. I gained a spot because of Sean’s penalty and I’m now leading the points. It’s my first year in the Carrera Cup so that’s just fabulous. But the season is still long.”

Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, third): “I don’t quite know what to say. It’s an unbelievable feeling to finish in third – especially at my home race after a difficult start to the season. The race was great. My start was perfect and the first two laps ran well. I was already in sixth. There were some great duels, particularly with Clemens Schmid. I had to really fend him off but I did it. In the end I profited from my colleagues’ penalties.”

Michael Christensen (Porsche Junior, sixth): “My race was fine once everyone calmed down a little after the first few laps. Then I had a little luck on my side when I moved up the classification because of others mistakes. I’m pleased.”

Race result race 6
1. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, 22:08.492 minutes
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 2.073 seconds
3. Klaus Bachler (A), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 7.624
4. Nicki Thiim (DK); Hermes Attempto Racing, + 10.236
5. Michael Ammermüller (D), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 10.977
6. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, + 15.809
7. Philipp Frommenwiler (CH), Attempto Racing, + 21.932
8. Felipe Fernandez Laser (D), Farnbacher ESET Racing, + 22.913
9. Matthias Gamauf (A), Marschall Goebel Racing, + 29.178
10. Tomas Pivoda (CZ), Konrad Motorsport, + 30.118

Results Amateurs
1. Andreas Mayerl (A), Konrad Motorsport, 22:41.015 minutes
2. „Bill Barazetti“ (D),MRS GT-Racing, + 14.143 seconds
3. Wolf Nathan (NL), FE Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 28.823

Points’ standings after 6 of 17 races
Drivers’ classification
1. Kévin Estre (F), 88 points
2. René Rast (D), 80
3. Sean Edwards (GB), 79
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 68
5. Nicki Thiim (DK), 67

Team classification
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 163 points
2. Hermes Attempto Racing, 158
3. Konrad Motorsport, 115

Amateur classification
1. ‘Bill Barazetti’ (D), 98 points
2. Wolf Nathan (NL), 90
3. Harrie Kolen (NL), 86

Rookie classification
1. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 88 points
2. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, 55
3. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, 44

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
Oliver Hilger

Marc Gené to replace Timo Bernhard at Le Mans

Marc Gené to replace Timo Bernhard at Le Mans

Audi reserve driver Marc Gené to compete at Le Mans 24 Hours Timo Bernhard’s full recovery has priority Audi will fight for eleventh overall victory at Le Mans

Ingolstadt, June 1, 2012 - After three consecutive runs for Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours and his overall victory at the wheel of the Audi R15 TDI in the 2010 season, Timo Bernhard will not participate in the endurance classic this year. In close coordination with the physicians and with Audi Sport the Audi factory driver attaches major importance to making a complete recovery after his accident.

Following the testing accident in March in which he was not at fault Timo Bernhard started a rehabilitation program with his personal trainer and received comprehensive medical care. "I’m very pleased with the steps I’ve managed to make during this time," says Bernhard who hails from Germany’s Saar-Palatinate district. "We’ve created a tight system of medical checks, so my progress has constantly been monitored. Unfortunately, there’s not enough time before the Le Mans 24 Hours to become 100 percent fit again. Le Mans is a world-class race that doesn’t allow any compromises. I only want to compete at this event in perfect physical condition. That’s why on the advice of my doctors and in close coordination with Audi I decided not to run at Le Mans this year."

For the Le Mans 24 Hours, the 31-year-old Audi factory driver was planned to run in the Audi R18 ultra designated as car number "3." His place will now be taken by Audi’s reserve driver Marc Gené. The Spaniard drove his first race for Audi in early May at the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC where together with Romain Dumas and Loïc Duval he clinched overall victory.

"All of us had very much been wishing for Timo to be fit again for the test day and the Le Mans 24 Hours," stresses Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "Unfortunately, the time was too short for this. That’s a real shame for Timo and for us too. Despite this responsible and probably not easy decision there’s generally positive news as well, as we all know that Timo will completely recover again. Naturally, he will continue to enjoy our full support. By signing Marc Gené in April as a reserve driver we’ve got a tried and tested solution for the current situation. Marc will now be nominated as a racer driver in the number "3" car. At Spa, he took advantage of the opportunity to get to know the team and to immediately show a very good performance."

Marc Gené will take Timo Bernhard’s place as early as on the test day at Le Mans on June 3. On that day, the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro as the first diesel hybrid sports car in history as well as its sister model, the new Audi R18 ultra, will be driven on the 13.629-kilometer circuit for the first time. On June 16 and 17, Audi will be battling for its eleventh overall victory in the world’s most important endurance race with two cars of both models.
Audi Motorsport.