Driver Database News

Tutumlu, a Spanish with Kurdish origins, concluded 15th during last race of 2011 season in Porsche Supercup, which was held in Abu Dhabi. Good result for Barzani Racing Team´s driver after his problems in Saturday´s race.

Isaac Tutumlu has finished today his 2011 season in Porsche Supercup and he showed his good shape at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Tutumlu, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup lined up by Attempto Racing and under Barzani Racing Team colors, achieved a good 15 place at the end of this meeting.

In free practice session, Tutumlu was 12 fastest despite his Porsche was suffering from braking problems and which continued over the course of the weekend. It meant that in qualifying Tutumlu could just achieve 18 and 19 places on the starting grids for race one and two respectively. “We changed my car´s brake pads a few times but my feeling with them didn´t improve. They worked at the beginning but after three or four laps they got worse”, he explained.

In race one, which was scheduled on Saturday, Tutumlu made a good start but, before of the first corner, another rival got him up against the wall. Spanish driver of Kurdish origin had to brake but he lost control of his car and colliding with another rival. “I feel quite confident before the start and I made a good start. However Sebastian Bleekemolen got me up against the wall and I couldn´t control my car, hitting Alessandro Zampedri”, Tutumlu explained afterwards. In spite of Tutumlu finished the race, he was excluded later due to his collision in first lap, even when it was proved Bleekemolen´s maneuver.

Today almost everything improved and, starting 19 , he gained at least three or four places at the start. “This time I have approached first bend on the outside to avoid any kind of problems. Anyway my brake problems appeared when I was fighting for 13 place. With two laps to go, two rivals managed to overtake me, but the balance is quite positive because I faced a strong and experienced opposition and my lap times were very similar”, he told at the end.

Oman Air Racing Team star Ahmad Al Harthy will achieve another long-held dream this coming weekend, 9th/10th July, when he makes his race debut in the FIA Formula One World Championship supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.

Taking full advantage of the summer break in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship calendar, the 29-year-old from Muscat will compete as part of a Formula One weekend for the first time in his career and simply can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere of the British Grand Prix.

Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is the most prestigious of all of the German manufacturer’s one-make championships and has been a regular part of the F1 support package since 1993. Next weekend’s fifth round of the season will be contested over 14 laps of the Northamptonshire track.

“Supercup is the biggest of the Porsche championships so this really is a major step for me, I can’t wait to get out there”, said Ahmad, “Being part of a Formula One weekend is going to be absolutely amazing, the icing on the cake, and the racing will be a whole new level.

“It’s going to be a huge event for the Oman Air Racing Team and all of my sponsors – Oman Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Tourism. This will be a very big challenge, extremely tough, but we’re ready and focused on learning as much as possible.”

This year has been a season of glorious firsts for Ahmad so far with his maiden Pro-Am 1 victory in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, a debut appearance at the awesome Nürburgring-Nordschleife just over a week ago during the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup and now his maiden race in Supercup.

“It’s been an incredible year so far”, he added, “We’ve achieved so much already in 2011 and none of it would have been possible without the incredible support I’ve had from everyone in Oman. To represent my country in the Supercup is a dream come true – it will be a very proud moment.”

Oman Air’s Chief Officer Corporate Affairs, Philippe Georgiou, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to support Ahmad in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Being part of a Grand Prix weekend is a huge opportunity for the Oman Air Racing Team and a great platform from which to promote Oman Air’s world class service at a world class event.”

Porsche Mobil1 Supercup qualifying will take place at 11.25 on Saturday, 9th July, with the race set to get underway at 10.45 on Sunday, 10th July. Live coverage of the race will be screened across Europe and other territories via digital satellite and cable broadcaster Eurosport – please check listings for more details and regional variations.

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography.

New Zealand Porsche motor racing driver Jono Lester has finished in 13th position in his debut in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on Sunday, contested at the Monza circuit in support of the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The 20-year old kiwi was part of the 32-strong Supercup field, the largest grid in five seasons of racing, competing in the Braun-backed Porsche AG Guest Car.

Lester adapted quickly to the unfamiliar Monza circuit in Friday’s 45-minute free practice session, reacclimatising himself behind the wheel of a Porsche GT3 Cup Car before qualifying in position 20, 1.357 seconds shy of pole sitter Nick Tandy.

“My first reaction to the Monza circuit was made even more exciting by the fact that it was the first time I’d driven a race car since February,” Lester said.

“Tackling Ascari and approaching Parabolica for the first time was just incredible, as was the level of competition of the Porsche Supercup grid.”

Lester made a clean start in the 14-lap race, and was locked in battle for the duration with 2005 Supercup champion Alessandro Zampedri, former Porsche Factory Driver Sascha Maassen and Polish entrant Kuba Giermaziak.

Such was the frantic race environment the Supercup has become famous for, Lester traded place, paint and panel to cross the line in 13th position at the finish, nine seconds shy of race winner Nick Tandy and 4/10ths of a second off the fastest race lap.

“It’s been a remarkable day – I just can’t put into words just how awesome this championship is. For a 30-minute race to be all over in what seemed like a heartbeat gives you an idea of just how much I had to focus out there.

“I drove a clean race, just joining the dots and making sure the tyres held up for the duration. I raced hard but took few risks as this was always going to be a race of attrition and I needed to ensure I was there at the chequered flag.

“It’s just another level altogether. The attacks were coming left, right and centre and it was just a pleasure to be a part of. I have to extend my thanks to Porsche for this opportunity and now that I’ve had my taste of the Supercup, I can see why it’s such an addictive flavour!”

New Zealand Porsche motor racing driver Jono Lester will make his debut in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at the final round of the 2010 championship, to be contested at the Monza circuit in Italy on the 9th to 12th of September.

The 20-year old GT3 Cup Challenge regular has been invited by Porsche AG to compete in their Guest Car at the Italian Grand Prix, on the back of the Porsche Motorsport Talent Scholarship he was awarded in February.

“To join the ranks of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is reward enough for the efforts we have all put in over the last 18-months,” Lester said. “But to do so at Monza – one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, so rich in motorsport history and with the atmosphere generated by the Tifosi – that’s just something else!”

Lester has spent time testing with the championship-leading Lechner Racing team throughout Europe and the Middle East over the last 18-months, but hasn’t competed in a motor race since the 2009 Hamilton 400.

“I’m chomping at the bit. Hamilton was a long time ago, but in hindsight it was the best thing for me as a driver.

“I’ve had time to re-evaluate myself, my attitude, my approach to my racing; and the relationship I’ve forged with the Lechner Racing Team is one that I value really highly.”

Acclimatising to a new harder compound tyre being used in the Supercup in 2010 will be an important factor in the single 45-minute Official Practice session at Monza, however Lester is not unfamiliar to the new 2010-spec 911 GT3 having driven the car in Bahrain and Italy previously.

“I’m ready for Monza. I’m as ready as I ever will be. We are going over there with a job to do. I’m motivated, but I don’t expect to win or be on the podium. I have a realistic set of goals which I’ll keep to myself. And if I achieve them, you’ll see it in the big grin on my face!”

Other guest starters for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup this year include 2009 Formula Le Mans champion Nico Verdonck, and Mathias Lauda, son of three time Formula One World Champion, Niki Lauda.

New Zealand Porsche racing driver Jono Lester will travel to Bahrain in December to complete his second Porsche Supercup testing programme with Lechner Racing.

Lester impressed in testing with the Austrian Lechner Racing team earlier this year at the Hungaroring Grand Prix circuit in Hungary, and is now working closely with team management to finalise his place in the 2010 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

Lester and current Porsche Supercup driver Stefan Rosina will test a number of the new 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup cars between them in the lead up to Christmas at the Bahrain Formula One circuit.

During this time the pair will gain valuable mileage behind the wheel of the new and upgraded 911 race cars, and for Lester it will also provide a chance to learn the circuit where the opening two rounds of the 2010 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup will be held in March next year.

“It’s really exciting to be given another opportunity to head overseas and test with the Lechner Racing team and Porsche Motorsport,” Lester said.

“I really need to pick up where I left off in Hungary, and driving under pressure on an unfamiliar circuit, in a new car and in the sticky Bahrain heat is something I’ll have to expect a lot of next year. It’s the perfect preparation.”

The 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup car is another step up from the current 2008-09 models being raced in Carrera Cups around the world, and is now based on the GT3 RS model.

“The new Cup car is a real weapon, and the most noticeable change is the larger 3.8 litre engine with around 450 horsepower,” Lester explained.

“Then, as with the 996-997 progression of a few years back, there’s a wider rear track and larger rear wheels, flared arches and a rear wing that’s around nine inches wider and positioned a lot higher off the boot lid. It really dominates the car and the extra down force will be really beneficial to lap times.”

Back home, Lester will not be competing in the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge this season after three consecutive championships behind the wheel of the Blackwoods Paykels GT3.

“I’m really disappointed not to be racing at home this season and the [GT3 Cup Challenge] series is looking more competitive than it ever has. The race mileage would have been valuable, however there’s no better way to prepare for the Supercup than to do so in the new Cup car, and the experience and expertise of Walter [Lechner] and his engineers will ensure we make the most of this great opportunity and roll up to round one ready for action!”

New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driver Jono Lester has recently completed a successful Porsche Supercup test programme with Lechner Racing at the Hungaroring Grand Prix Circuit in Budapest, Hungary.

The 19-year old travelled to Europe in early July and spent two days behind the wheel of Damien Faulkner’s Porsche GT3 Cup car around the 4.4km circuit, alongside both Faulkner and his Slovakian team mate Stefan Rosina.

Irishman Faulkner scored pole position and the race win at the Hungaroring in 2008, while Rosina currently lies third overall in the 2009 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup points standings, giving Lester two highly competitive benchmarks throughout the test.

“My time behind the wheel of a Supercup car was an amazing experience, as was the atmosphere of the European circuits, and both the professionalism and hospitality I experienced as part of the Lechner Racing team,” Lester said.

“[Team owner] Walter Lechner is not only a highly accomplished driver in his own right, but he went out of his way to make sure I got the most out of my time with the team, and I have come away far better for it.”

The Supercup-spec GT3 Cup cars are largely similar to those running in the New Zealand championship; however the addition of carbon ceramic brakes was a new learning curve for Lester.

“There were certainly positives and negatives. Learning to control the heat in the brakes took a while as they gain and lose heat so rapidly; however it was good that when the brakes were pinched, a small lock up could be released without any troubles. We have a bit more trouble slowing them up here in New Zealand, that’s for sure!”

In follow up to the Hungary test, Lester spent a fortnight with Lechner Racing at their base in Faistenau, Austria, and joined the team at the Nurburgring Grand Prix where Rosina scored second place behind points leader Jeroen Bleekemolen.

Now back home in New Zealand, Lester is focussed on securing a drive for the 2010 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and finalising preparations for his fourth season in the domestic Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, beginning in November.

In the meantime, he will be assisting Juno New Zealand (www.junoracing.co.nz) with the development of their new Synergy V8 engine, which has recently been implemented into the British Juno SSE-NZ sports car.