Porsche Penske Motorsport Eyes Strong Fuji Performance Despite Qualifying Setbacks

Porsche Penske Motorsport is heading into the seventh round of the FIA WEC season at Fuji with cautious optimism, despite a challenging qualifying session. The team is focused on race pace and adaptability, particularly with unpredictable weather expected.

Key Takeaways

• Porsche 963 #5 qualified seventh, with driver Julien Andlauer expressing confidence in a top-five finish or podium potential.

• Porsche 963 #6 faced a difficult qualifying, starting 17th, but the team believes its true speed is higher.

• The LMGT3 class saw Porsche 911 GT3 R #92 secure fifth on the grid, aiming for a smart championship-focused race.

• Mixed weather conditions are anticipated, which the team believes could play to their advantage.

Qualifying Recap

Qualifying at Fuji presented a tightly contested field, with the top 17 cars in the Hypercar class separated by just one second. The #5 Porsche 963, driven by Julien Andlauer and Mathieu Jaminet, secured seventh place on the grid. Andlauer qualified for the Hyperpole session and expressed confidence in the car's potential, aiming for a top-five finish or even a podium if conditions align.

In contrast, the sister car, #6 Porsche 963, driven by Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, will start from 17th. Estre described it as his "worst qualifying" due to an inability to secure a clean lap. Despite this, Managing Director Jonathan Diuguid stated that the starting position is not representative of the car's true speed and expressed happiness with their race pace.

Customer team Proton Competition will start their third Porsche 963 from 18th place.

LMGT3 Class Performance

In the LMGT3 class, the Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R, piloted by Ryan Hardwick and Riccardo Pera, qualified in fifth place. Pera is optimistic about the strong starting position, emphasizing the team's focus on the championship lead, which they hold by 19 points.

The Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R, with Célia Martin, Rahel Frey, and Michelle Gatting, will start from 17th. Frey expressed disappointment with qualifying, noting that the car felt uncomfortable for Martin, and they are looking to overcome the challenging starting position with a solid strategy.

Race Outlook and Weather Concerns

Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh, acknowledged the close competition but remained confident in the car's competitiveness for the race. He highlighted the unpredictable Fuji weather as a significant factor, stating that the team is prepared for mixed conditions, which they believe could favor them.

The six-hour race is scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 28th, at 11:00 AM local time. Broadcasts will be available via Sport1 in Germany, the FIA WEC's paid services, and Eurosport.