Porsche Penske Motorsport look ahead to the second round of the season – the 6 Hours of Imola – with every reason to be confident, after a promising showing here in 2024. The team will also be hoping to bounce back from what was a disappointing start to the season in Qatar.
In a round table organised in conjunction with Mobil 1, Endurance Archive spoke to Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Racing LMDh, and driver of the #5 Porsche 963 Michael Christensen ahead of the second round of the season.
“We finished well here last year, and we know where we have improved the car compared to that benchmark.” said Kuratle. “But it’s impossible to know how our competitors have progressed. I think it’s clear that the field has bunched up a lot.”
The team have a clear idea of where they are on strategy and will be keeping a close eye on the weather, which played a decisive role in last year’s race. “We are in good shape on strategy, particularly with the tyres,” added Kuratle. “Last season we were able to get our tyres up to temperature quickly, but again this is an area in which the other manufacturers have also developed.”
The pressure before the race is always high
Michael Christensen is looking forward to racing at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the second time with Porsche Penske Motorsport, but knows the race will be challenging: “It’s tight, narrow and undulating, a real old-school circuit, so track position will be extremely important. The curbs are also something we drivers really have to watch out for, particularly if it rains.”
Christensen batted away talk of any extra pressure on the team after finishing down the order at the season-opening Qatar 1812km. “I think there is pressure at every WEC race, and Imola is no different,” the Dane said. “Six hours is obviously a long time, and really anything can happen. We will be focusing on our race and our strategy, and we are confident that we will be able to finish well.”
The race starts at 1:00 pm local time on Sunday 20th April. Live coverage is available on fiawec.tv and the Eurosport network.
First pictures from Imola
Pictures © Endurance-Archive