Autosportfoto

Porsche Supercup: Nicki Thiim celebrates first victory of the season

On the Silverstone Circuit, Nicki Thiim from Denmark achieved his first victory of the season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. At the wheel of his 460 hp new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the seventh generation of the 911, the Attempto Racing rookie winner of last year won by 0.580 seconds over Germany's Michael Ammermüller (Lechner Racing). Clinching third for the DAMS squad on the challenging Grand Prix circuit, Porsche-Junior Michael Christensen (Denmark) scored his best Supercup result so far this season and moved into the lead of the rookie classification for the first time.

In sunshine and warm temperatures, Nicki Thiim took off from pole position and immediately settled in at the front of the field. After just a few laps he had built up such a comfortable lead that his second Supercup success after Spa in 2012 was no longer under threat. Michael Christensen, who had started from the front row next to him, initially managed to defend his second place, but came under increasing pressure from Michael Ammermüller. The Lechner Racing pilot, who made up three places after a very strong start, waited patiently until lap seven when he finally nipped past the Porsche Junior. After finishing third in Barcelona and Monaco, he is the only Supercup pilot who has climbed the podium at every round. In the championship standings, he now ranks second, four points behind the leader Sean Edwards. The Briton from Allyouneed by Project 1, winner of Barcelona and Monaco, saw the flag at his home race in fourth.

Poland's Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team), who clinched second in Monaco, brought home fifth place ahead of last year's vice champion Kévin Estre (Attempto Racing) from France. Behind them two FACH AUTO TECH pilots delivered a spirited duel over the entire distance, with Martin Ragginger ultimately beating Christian Engelhart. The former Porsche Junior from Austria, who normally contests the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, finished his first Supercup race this season in seventh, with his teammate from Germany relegated to the eighth spot.

For Porsche Junior Klaus Bachler, a top ten placing in Silverstone proved to be out of reach. Taking up the race from only 17th position, the FÖRCH Racing driver from Austria managed to make up three positions in the highly competitive field, but was shuffled back to 21st after being handed a 25-second penalty for a collision with Sebastiaan Bleekemolen. For Jean-Karl Vernay (France) the third race weekend was not a lot better. Driving for MRS GT-Racing, the winner of the International Cup Scholarship who this year receives support from Porsche to contest the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, landed on 20th. A week ago at the Le Mans 24 Hours, he had celebrated one of the most momentous success of his career as winner of the GTE-Am class.

Nicki Thiim (winner): "That was a truly wonderful weekend. I wanted to win the race for Allan Simonsen and I'm happy that I have succeeded. Towards the end of the race I had to fight a little but luckily my advantage was big enough. Winning in Silverstone on this challenging circuit is something very special. I got goose bumps during the cool-down lap with the cheering crowds - they are all avid fans."

Michael Ammermüller (second): "The qualifying was not ideal, but everything ran better in the race. I got away well at the start and immediately made up three places. In the second half of the race I was a touch faster than Michael Christensen who was ahead of me and when he made a small mistake I overtook him on the inside. Nicki Thiim was too far away at the head of the field to even think about going for him. This is a great result for me and it opens the chance for us in the fight for the championship."

Michael Christensen (third): "That was a good race. I'm pleased about the podium and the points. It's great that I also drove the fastest race lap. The race didn't go so smoothly at the halfway point so I had to let Michael Ammermüller pass me. Afterwards the car ran better again. We have the speed, that's for sure, but there are still a few things that we need to work on for the race."

Jean-Karl Vernay (Winner International Cup Scholarship, 20th): "That was a weekend to forget. I'm now looking ahead to the Nürburgring and hope that things work out better there."

Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, 21st place): "Our pace was definitely better than in qualifying. What I lacked at first was track knowledge. But that improved during the race."

Race result
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Attempto Racing, 27:51.740 minutes
2. Michael Ammermüller (D), Lechner Racing Team, + 0.580 seconds
3. Michael Christensen (DK), DAMS, + 1.363
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Allyouneed by Project 1, + 2.143
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 4.666
6. Kévin Estre (F), Attempto Racing, + 5.194
20. Jean-Karl Vernay (F), MRS GT-Racing, + 37.276
21. Klaus Bachler (A), FÖRCH Racing, + 40.917

Points standings after 3 of 9 races
Driver
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Allyouneed by Project 1, 54 points
2. Michael Ammermüller (D), Lechner Racing Team, 50
3. Nicki Thiim (DK), Attempto Racing, 46
4. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, 44
5. Michael Christensen (DK), DAMS, 28
6. Ben Barker (GB), Team Bleekemolen, 20
Christian Engelhart (D), FACH AUTO TECH, 20

Rookie classification
1. Michael Christensen (DK), DAMS, 28 points
2. Ben Barker (GB), Team Bleekemolen, 20
3. Richie Stanaway (NZL), DAMS, 19
4. Klaus Bachler (A), FÖRCH Racing, 15

Nürburgring: Preview to the 4th of 9 races on 7 July
After a one year break, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup returns to the Eifel region. The race on the Nürburgring promises to turn into a gripping fight for the championship lead between Sean Edwards and Michael Ammermüller, with Silverstone winner Nicki Thiim adding some extra spice to the mix. Spectators could also be treated to some action from Porsche Junior Michael Christensen who moved into the lead of the rookie classification after his strong performance in Silverstone and is keen to stay there. TV stations Eurosport and Sky broadcast the race live.