Porsche AG Team Manthey had a positive start in qualifying for the FIA World Endurance Championship as they debuted the Porsche 911 RSR at Silverstone.
Works driver Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Pilet managed an average time of 2:01.308 to take them to fourteenth position overall and third in class, third driver Timo Bernhard watched on from the garages with only two drivers per car taking part in the session.
“As far as the set-up is concerned we have found some potential because prior to this qualifying we had very little time in the dry,” said Bergmeister. “So we had to take a bit of a risk and almost found the right point. I think we’ll get it under control in time for the race.”
Pilet added: “In a six hour race, the qualifying times are not everything. I’m looking forward to Sunday and can’t wait for the first race with the new 911 RSR.”
The new 911 RSR is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sportscar and produces an impressive 470 bhp. Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen was happy the rain held off “The qualifying went quite well so far. We were lucky that it stayed dry. The whole team is now raring to tackle the first race with the 911 RSR.”
The #92 Porsche finished the session with an average lap time just 0.060 seconds slower that the #91 car to line up fourth in class with Richard Lietz and Romain Dumas; Marc Lieb joins the line-up for the race tomorrow.
“That was the first time that I drove the car on the dry track this weekend,” stated Richard Lietz. “We knew it would be difficult. But much more important than the result was that I got a good feel for dry conditions with new slicks. I was very happy with my laps.”
Teammate Dumas added “That was an interesting qualifying. We are going well with our new car, but we’re still certain to learn a great deal over the season.”
