The Porsche GT team took a double podium in the GTE Pro class in round four of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring in Germany while the Dempsey Proton Racing team won the GTE AM class.
The two Pro cars, which are new for the 2017 FIA WEC season, were both near the front of the class throughout the entirety of the six hour race, with both of the cars leading the class at different points.
The pole sitting #92 car of Michael Christensen and Kévin Estre would be at the front of the eight-car field after the first range of pitstops, taking over from the sister #91 car of Frédéric Makowiecki and Richard Lietz.
But despite the two 911 RSR’s being competitive, the German team was unable to stop the eventual class winning #51 AF Course Ferrari 488 of James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi and they would have to settle for a second and third place result at their home event.
The pair of Porsche’s were both on different pit strategies to one another and the duo of cars would swap positions several times throughout the race with the #91 car of Makowiecki/Lietz ultimately coming out on top in the inner-team duel behind the GTE Pro class winning Ferrari.
Porsche 911 RSR #91 and Porsche 911 RSR #92 – Credit:@Porsche AG
Third placed Estre said on the result: “That was a good race for us, much better than the first three this season. We set pole position and were in the lead – but unfortunately that wasn’t enough to secure the first victory for the new 911 RSR.”
“The Ferrari was too strong in the double stints. We put up a great fight against the rest of our rivals and we’re all very close.”
While second placed Lietz added: “That was a good race for us. We had a perfect strategy. We wanted to start on used tyres and finish with a double stint on fresh tyres.”
“Basically this strategy worked. Our team did a fantastic job. Second and third is more than we could expect. We’ve made huge improvements since the first races. I’m very pleased.”
Porsche 911 RSR #77, Dempsey Proton Racing – Credit :Porsche AG
In GTE AM meanwhile, the Dempsey Proton Racing team took their first win of the season in the class designed for older specification GTE cars.
After claiming third at the opening round of the season at Silverstone, followed by a second placed finish at Spa, the three-driver squad of Matteo Cairoli, Christian Ried and Marvin Dienst went one better in Germany and claimed the win ahead of the Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 of Francesco Castellacci, Thomas Flohr and Miguel Molina.
The next round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship is the 6 Hours Of Mexico that takes place on September 3.
