The race
The Dutchman controlled the twice red-flagged race on the famous street circuit of Monte Carlo and crossed the finish line more than three seconds ahead of New Zealander Jaxon Evans (Martinet by Alméras).
“That was the perfect start to the season,” said the jubilant winner ten Voorde. “I pushed hard in the first few laps to gain an advantage over Jaxon Evans – he’s the guy I feared the most. My tactic worked. Towards the end, I was even able to ease off a bit and control the gap.” Rookie Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) from France fended off repeated attacks from Austria’s Christopher Zöchling (FACH AUTO TECH) to win the gripping duel for position three.
The first race of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, at which the Esso Renewable Racing Fuel produced from regenerative sources was used, got off to a hectic start. After just a few metres, several vehicles collided in the uphill section heading towards the Casino. The race was red-flagged due to the blocked racetrack. Six drivers were unable to restart behind the safety car. Another crash into the barriers shortly after the restart saw the safety car deployed again, this time for one lap.
After each of the two restarts, ten Voorde held on to his lead and proceeded to pull clear of his pursuer Evans by tenths of seconds. In the meantime, the New Zealander eked out an advantage over Boccolacci and Zöchling. Bad luck hampered Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven. While running in position five, the Turkish racing driver had to retire shortly before the finish with technical problems. However, his teammate at BWT Lechner Racing, the Luxembourger Dylan Pereira, launched an impressive charge through the field. After an accident in qualifying, the fastest in Free Practice had to take up the race from P27 – the second to last grid spot. The sports soldier took the flag in eleventh place and was rewarded for his outstanding performance with five championship points.
In addition to ex-Formula 2 driver Boccolacci, who gave a strong debut in Porsche’s international one-make cup with third place, Britain’s Harry King (Parker Revs Racing) and Ludovico Laurini from Italy (Dinamic Motorsport) completed the rookie podium. Victory in the ProAm class went to Frenchman Clément Mateu (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) ahead of Austrian Philipp Sager (Dinamic Motorsport).
“The start of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup’s 29th season couldn’t have been more spectacular. Congratulations to the defending champion Larry ten Voorde (Team GP Elite) on his victory. The race also underlined that some new names will appear in the top group this year,” commented Oliver Schwab, Project Manager Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
The next venue on the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup calendar is Spielberg, Austria, where two races are held on consecutive weekends. First part of the double-header is the Styrian Grand Prix (25 to 27 June 2021).
Race 1 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, 15 laps, Monte Carlo (MC)
1. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite), 25.45.487 minutes
2. Jaxon Evans (NZ/ Martinet by Alméras), +3.276 seconds
3. Dorian Boccolacci (F/Martinet by Alméras), +6.610 seconds
4. Christopher Zöchling (A/FACH AUTO TECH), +7.213 seconds
5. Florian Latorre (F/CLRT), +10.043 seconds
6. Leon Köhler (D/Nebulus Racing by Huber), +12.540 seconds
The qualifying
In the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the Dutchman dominated the qualifying on the street circuit through the Principality. Several times over the 30-minute session, the GP Elite team driver managed to improve on his personal record. During his decisive lap, he clocked a time that was almost two seconds faster than the pole-setting time of 2019, when the international one-make cup last visited Monaco. “I drove a perfect lap and in some places even scrapped the guardrail slightly. But I was so gentle that the barrier didn’t punish me,” joked Ten Voorde.
Sharing the first grid row in second place is Jaxon Evans (Martinet by Alméras) from New Zealand. The third grid spot went to the best rookie and Evans’s teammate Dorian Boccolacci from France. Misfortune, on the other hand, plagued Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing). Last year’s vice-champion turned the fastest lap in free practice, however, in qualifying, the Luxembourger returned to the pits with a damaged radiator after hitting a barrier and had to abandon his qualifying attempt. As a consequence, Pereira has to take up the race from the last grid row.
The tradition-steeped street circuit of Monte Carlo is regarded as one of the most demanding racetracks in the world. The opening round of the 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup throws additional challenges at team and drivers: For the first time in 29 years of Supercup history, the Principality at the Mediterranean serves as a backdrop for the season opener of the international one-make cup. Moreover, the racing vehicle – the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Generation 992) – is new.
“We usually test on a new track prior to a race. This wasn’t possible in Monaco, so heading into the race we don’t have any data, for example, on the suspension setup,” explains Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven (Turkey), who set the fifth quickest qualifying time. In this regard, teamwork is the answer. “I tried out different settings than Ayhancan in free practice,” declares Dylan Pereira, Güven’s teammate at BWT Lechner Racing. “We then compared the data from our two cars to find the ideal setup.”
In one aspect, all drivers agree: The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which, compared to its predecessor, features a wider track on the front axle and has a rear wing that generates even more downforce, provides significantly more mechanical and aerodynamic grip. “Through the tunnel, for example, I go full throttle. That wasn’t possible with the previous 911 GT3 Cup,” explains polesetter Larry ten Voorde.
A decisive secret of a fast lap is to include the curbs in the ideal racing line. While Formula 1 drivers mostly have to avoid these artificial kerbs, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is more forgiving of a considerably more aggressive driving style. “You have to drive over the curbs, otherwise you’ll be too slow,” says Porsche Junior Güven. “The trick is to hit them at the right angle so that the car doesn’t get too unstable when landing.” The fact that all four wheels of the vehicles occasionally lift off is part of pushing the limit. “The new 911 GT3 Cup flies better than its predecessor,” Güven quickly discovered.
The race starts on Sunday (23 May 2021) at 10:20 am CEST. The TV channels Eurosport and Sky Sport and the streaming service f1tv.formula1.com provide a live broadcast. Fans can also follow the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup action on Twitter (@PorscheSupercup / @PorscheRaces), Instagram (@PorscheSupercup) and Facebook (@PorscheSupercup).
Qualifying Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup round 1, Monte Carlo (MC)
1. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite), 1:33.099 min.
2. Jaxon Evans (NZ/ Martinet by Alméras), +0.175 sec.
3. Dorian Boccolacci (F/Martinet by Alméras), +0.236 sec.
4. Christopher Zöchling (A/FACH AUTO TECH), +0.376 sec.
5. Ayhancan Güven (TR/BWT Lechner Racing), +0.487 sec.
6. Florian Latorre (F/CLRT), +0.611 sec.
The preview
The new 992-generation 911 GT3 Cup makes its racing debut in Porsche’s international one-make cup on the famous street circuit of Monaco. This year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, now heading into what will be its 29th season, includes eight races run as support to the FIA Formula One World Championship. For the first time, the car’s ca. 375 kW (510 hp) four-litre naturally aspirated engine will run on Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, a blend of fuels predominantly made from renewable, bio-based components. The switch to eFuel, which is based on hydrogen produced using renewable electricity, is planned over the course of the 2022 season. The goal of the cooperation between Porsche and ExxonMobil, who make the e-fuel, is to gain valuable experience in finding pathways towards potential future consumer adoption.
“The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup heads into the 2021 season with two highlights. We start the season in Monaco for the first time. Given that we aren’t allowed to test on this very special racetrack and the fact that it leaves no room for mistakes is a huge test for the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Plus, this is the first time we’re using the new Esso Renewable Racing Fuel from our partner ExxonMobil. The teams and drivers are super excited. In terms of lap times, the field is extremely close, which was underlined at the tests in Monza, Italy. I think we’ll witness the most gripping season-opener in Supercup history,” says Oliver Schwab, Project Manager Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Larry ten Voorde (Netherlands, Team GP Elite) tackles the Monaco round as the reigning champion. His rivals include last year’s vice-champion Dylan Pereira (Luxembourg) and Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven (Turkey, both BWT Lechner Racing) as well as the title defenders of the rookie and ProAm classes, Max van Splunteren (Netherlands, Team GP Elite) and Roar Lindland (Norway, Nebulus Racing by Huber). Joining the newcomers is 20-year-old Harry King (Great Britain, Parker Revs Racing), who receives support from Porsche GB as the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.
Porsche and ExxonMobil are implementing a two-stage strategy in the introduction of renewable fuels in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. This season, the racing vehicles will be powered by a blend of advanced bio-based fuel obtained from food waste products. Additional components are blended in to enable the required fuel properties and combustion behaviour. In 2022, the next step will be to introduce eFuel synthetically manufactured in the Haru Oni pilot facility in Chile. This Esso Renewable Racing Fuel is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85 per cent, when blended to current market fuel standards for today’s passenger vehicles.
The season opening round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes off on Sunday (23 May 2021) at 10:20 CEST. Eurosport and Sky Sport along with the streaming service f1tv.formula1.com will provide live broadcasts. Fans can also follow the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup action on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The schedule (all times CEST)
Thursday, 20 May
17:15 – 18:00: Free practice
Friday, 21 May
10:00 – 10:30: Qualifying
Sunday, 23 May
10:20: Race (17 laps)
Main technical specifications: Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992)
Engine
Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer rear engine; displacement 3,996 cm3; ca. 375 kW (510 hp) at 8,400 rpm; max. torque 470 Nm at 6,150 rpm; max. rpm 8,750; fuel: Esso Renewable Racing Fuel.
Transmission
Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox; paddle shift with electronic shift barrel actuator; mechanical limited slip differential.
Body
Lightweight body featuring intelligent aluminium-steel composite design; welded-in roll-cage; doors, rear cover and rear wing made of CFRP; rear wing with ‘swan neck’ mounting; 110-litre FT3 safety fuel cell. Multifunctional CFRP motorsport steering wheel with quick-release coupling, shift paddles and illuminated push buttons; fire extinguisher system with electronic release unit.
Suspension
Forged aluminium control arms and top mounts; wheel hubs with centre-lock wheel nut; double-blade-type adjustable anti-roll bars; tyre pressure monitoring system. Front axle: double wishbone suspension. Rear axle: multi-link suspension.
Brake system
Two independent brake circuits, driver adjustable brake force distribution via brake balance system. Front axle: six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers; ventilated 380 mm steel brake discs; aluminium brake disc chamber. Rear axle: four-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers; ventilated 380 mm steel brake discs mounted on aluminium disc bells.
Wheels / Tyres
Front axle: alloy wheels 12J x 18; tyre dimension 30/65-18. Rear axle: alloy wheels 13J x 18; tyre dimension 31/71-18.
Weight / Dimensions
Base weight: ca. 1,260 kg; length: 4,585 mm; width: 1,920 mm (front axle) / 1,902 mm (rear axle); wheelbase: 2,459 mm.
Calendar Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2021
|
Event |
Date |
Racetrack |
|
Round 1 |
20 – 23 May | Monaco |
|
Round 2 |
25 – 27 June |
Le Castellet (France) |
|
Round 3 |
2 – 4 July |
Spielberg (Austria) |
|
Round 4 |
16 – 18 July | Silverstone (England) |
|
Round 5 |
30 July – 1 August |
Budapest (Hungary) |
|
Round 6 |
27 – 29 August |
Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) |
|
Round 7 |
3 – 5 September |
Zandvoort (Netherlands) |
|
Round 8 |
10 – 12 September |
Monza (Italy) |