Porsche customer scores double podium in fifth FIA GT World Cup from Macau

Porsche customer sealed a double podium around the tight Macau streets with second and third in the FIA GT World Cup Main Race, as Porsche entrant Absolute Racing’s promising pace went unrewarded.

Running during the 66th weekend, the 2019 FIA GT World Cup welcomed four Porsche 911 GT3 R entries from ROWE Racing and reigning Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia teams’ champions Absolute Racing.

Driving for ROWE Racing in Macau were 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTLM champions and , with both impressing during practice to go 1-2 in each session.

After locking out row two in qualifying at the , Bamber and Vanthoor chased the Qualifying Race victory, slotting into second and third. With overtaking always difficult at the famous 6.115 km circuit, the duo held station to earn ROWE Racing two places on the podium.

In the Main Race, 2016 FIA GT World Cup winner Vanthoor and two-time Le Mans winner Bamber traded second position, with the Belgian letting his New Zealand team-mate through to attack the lead. After a valiant effort Bamber couldn’t find a way through, allowing Vanthoor to return to second at the chequered flag, with the duo sharing the podium once again.

Absolute Racing’s Alexandre Imperatori and Kévin Estre showed good potential, but traffic meant they started the Qualifying Race ninth and 17th. Both drove a superb race, with Swiss ace Imperatori climbing to sixth and 2019 winner Estre battling through to an impressive eighth-place finish, despite the limited overtaking opportunities.

After making places and showing front-running pace early in the Main Race, both Absolute Racing entries were forced to retire with damage.

Laurens Vanthoor, ROWE Racing: “Earl and I tried everything to finally bring home the first Macau victory for Porsche. We were really not far away. I got off the line better than Earl and managed to pass him. I then went all-out for the lead but had no real chance to overtake. I already knew that Earl is really fast here. That’s why I let him pass me. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to fight for the victory either. It’s a shame but we all worked perfectly as a team and tried absolutely everything.”

Earl Bamber, ROWE Racing: “That was an exciting and intense race. Our car was really fast, particularly in the corners. Unfortunately, we had no chance to overtake on the straights. Our team worked perfectly together. After Laurens had tried everything to get past the leader, he let me through to have a go and I tried as well to the flag. We weren’t far off, I was on the bumper of the leading car but there was just no way past. We have to wait for our first Macau victory, but podiums aren’t bad either.”

Alexandre Imperatori, Absolute Racing: “Unfortunately our race was over early. Kévin touched the rear of my car while overtaking in the Lisboa turn and I hit the barriers on the left. I tried for another two laps but lost a lot of time in the fast corners. It simply didn’t make sense to continue so I had to park the car. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is in Macau: all or nothing. This time it was nothing.”

Kévin Estre, Absolute Racing: “My start was good and I managed to make up one position. I was then behind my team-mate Alex. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding and we made contact while overtaking. My car was fast and I wanted to get ahead. I took a big risk and I overdid it slightly in the Mandarin corner. I hit the inside of the kerb, veered too wide and landed in the barrier – and that was the end.”

Alexandre Gibot, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific: “It’s great to see just how competitive the Porsche customers were in Macau. Both teams showed tremendous pace, with a big congratulations going to ROWE Racing on securing a double podium. It’s a shame that Absolute Racing had to retire, but they improved throughout the weekend and I’m sure would have been in the podium battle with better luck. It was another great event to see out the 2019 season, now we’re looking ahead to next year.”