Theo Oeverhaus wins the Supercup season opener in Monaco
From pole position to the top step of the podium: Theo Oeverhaus dominated the first race of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season in Monaco. The German took victory ahead of Italy’s Andrea Bristot and Britain’s Gustav Burton. Flynt Schuring from the Netherlands was the best of the two Porsche Juniors, finishing in fifth place.
A perfect qualifying session is crucial on the Formula 1 circuit through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo. This was also evident at the Supercup season opener. Theo Oeverhaus had secured pole position in the Porsche 911 Cup for the French team Martinet by Alméras. The Osnabrück-based driver capitalised on this advantage at the start. He entered the first corner in the lead and held on to first place throughout the race, which lasted over 17 laps.
Andrea Bristot is competing in his first Supercup season and had never raced in Monaco before. Surprisingly, the Italian from the Dinamic Motorsport team set the second-fastest lap in qualifying and started on the front row alongside Oeverhaus. With the composure of a seasoned veteran, the rookie fended off attacks from Gustav Burton in the opening metres. The GP Elite driver accelerated up the entire section of the track leading up to the Casino, side by side with Bristot. However, having taken the worse line, the Briton was then forced to back off. Bristot finished second overall and won the rookie classification.
Burton defended third place against the charging Robert de Haan. Last year’s winner from the BWT Lechner Racing team was the only driver in the leading group to move up one position from his starting position. Porsche Junior Flynt Schuring crossed the line in fifth place. The Dutchman drives for the French team Schumacher CLRT.
Joining Bristot on the rookie podium were Brazilian Matheus Ferreira (Team GP Elite) and Luxembourger Chester Kieffer (Schumacher CLRT). The trophies for the overall and rookie class standings were presented by Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey. The American is familiar with the Porsche Supercup from two guest appearances in the VIP 911. In Monaco, he briefly took the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT1. The historic racing car, which competed in the 1996 Le Mans 24 Hours, led the Cup cars from the remote paddock into the pit lane.
“The fans were treated to a thrilling start to the Supercup season. I was particularly impressed by the fact that the numerous gripping battles for position were conducted with great discipline. A Monaco race without a safety car deployment is a rarity across all series. My congratulations go in particular to Theo Oeverhaus on his first victory in the Principality and to Andrea Bristot, who, as a rookie, made it onto the podium straight away,” said Oliver Schwab, Project Manager for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Drivers’ comments after the race:
Theo Oeverhaus (GER/Martinet by Alméras), 1st place: “I actually wanted to take it easy at the start of the race. But Andrea Bristot really put me under pressure right from the off. Fortunately, I was able to pick up the pace a little and build up a small lead. A win in Monaco – it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Andrea Bristot (ITA/Dinamic Motorsport), 2nd place, Rookie winner: “Of course, as a racing driver, you’re never entirely satisfied with second place, but I’m still happy with the result – I never would have expected to be on the podium in my first Supercup race.”
Porsche Junior Flynt Schuring (NLD/Schumacher CLRT), 5th place: “A Monaco race without a safety car phase – that’s rare. It even caused the tyres to overheat a bit. Unfortunately, a small mistake cost me a position.”
Jaap van Lagen (NLD/Martinet by Alméras), 7th place: “My 100th Supercup race was great fun. Thanks to a flying start, I was able to gain two places right from the first few metres.”
