Porsche wants to acquire both titles in Shanghai

While the 6 Hours of Shanghai (November 3-5), penultimate round of the world championship seasonEndurance (WEC) looming on the horizon, the stable Porsche is on the verge of winning the two crowns in the LM P1 category. The crew of prototype No. 2 composed ofEarl Bamber, Timo Bernhard et Brendon Hartley, is in fact 39 points ahead of the trio Kazuki Nakajima-Sebastian Buemi-Anthony Davidson (Toyota No. 8). Among Manufacturers, Toyota is 58,5 units behind the German firm.

The Stuttgart team can thus approach the Chinese round with confidence. In the event of victory for the No. 8 Toyota, a 3rd place is enough for the Drivers' title to be acquired next weekend. The Manufacturers' standings could also be folded in Shanghai, as long as Porsche maintains a 44-point advantage over Toyota on Sunday. “After winning three times in a row Le Mans, we have the opportunity to also win the two world championships three times consecutively, even if during the previous round in Fuji (Japan), we lost ground against our opponent », explains Fritz Enzinger, vice-president of the LM P1 program.

Porsche Team Principal Andreas Seidl is optimistic about the capabilities of the 919 Hybrid on Asian soil. “The Shanghai circuit will suit our car better than Fuji. Our aerodynamics will be ideal, which will not prevent us from considering all possible scenarios. The team can withstand the pressure, this was already the case in Japan, where we were able to see to what extent the conditions can have an effect on the hierarchy. In China, each member of the team will give their all”, he warns.

The triplet in control of the general classification is indeed impatiently awaiting this eighth meeting of the season. “I like this circuit because it has a variety of elements, such as the long opposite straight as well as the second sector and its long curves”, explains Timo Bernhard. Earl Bamber has stored up many memories there, due to his participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2013 and 2014. “I won this competition in those years, which allowed me to start my career as an official driver for the German manufacturer”, remembers the New Zealander. Finally, his compatriot Brendon Hartley continues his journey, between F1 and WEC. The new Toro Rosso driver lives a dream period, and drives a racing car every weekend. “I’m quite busy!” But I still remain as excited and in good shape”, he reassures.