Third win and new champion: Michael AmmermĂŒller celebrates in Mexico
The battle for the championship title of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is over. At round nine in Mexico City, Michael AmmermĂŒller (BWT Lechner Racing) scored a lights-to-flag victory. With this result, the German holds an unassailable lead in the series with a 22-point advantage. âThis is my third title in a row and that makes me incredibly proud. The fight for the championship was wide open over the entire season, so I didnât expect to become champion before the end of the season. My start today wasnât great but I know the circuit well and I managed to pressure Ayhancan GĂŒven into making a mistake,â said AmmermĂŒller. Second place on Saturday went to Ayhancan GuÌven (TR/martinet by ALMĂRAS) followed across the line by Tio Ellinas (CY/Momo Megatron Lechner Racing). The champions for the two other classifications have also been decided: Thanks to his second place, GĂŒven is the new rookie champion. The BWT Lechner Racing squad takes home the team title.
The race in the AutĂłdromo Hermanos RodrĂguez quickly turned into a thriller packed with spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. In the sprint to the first corner after the start, GĂŒven got past AmmermĂŒller in his 485 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, however the Lechner driver promptly snatched back the lead in the first lap. AmmermĂŒller deftly defended himself and managed to pull clear of the field. After 16 laps, the seasoned specialist crossed the finish line first, 4.9 seconds ahead of GĂŒven â and thus netted his third victory of the season. GĂŒvenâs podium result was his fourth this year. âThe rookie title means a great deal to me because in the past itâs only been won by really successful drivers. Iâm happy with my race. This is my first time in Mexico and Michael AmmermĂŒller had a wealth of experience to call on,â declared the young Turkish racing driver.
Third place went to Ellinas. The Cypriot managed to fend off Larry ten Voorde (NL/MRS GT-Racing) and Porsche Junior Julien Andlauer (F/BWT Lechner Racing). âThis is a great result for me. I stayed really focussed and was rewarded with a podium spot,â said Ellinas. Fans in the Formula 1 grandstands witnessed a fierce duel for fourth place between the two youngsters ten Voorde and Andlauer. In the 14th lap, Andlauer finally managed to make the decisive move to overtake the Dutchman. âWhat a crazy race. I didnât get a clean start, but I gradually worked my way up the order. I think I could have done better than fourth place,â said Andlauer.
Jaap van Lagen (NL/martinet by ALMĂRAS) took the flag in sixth place. The 42-year-old was followed over the line by the two rookies Marius Nakken (N/Team Project 1 â Fach) and Joey Mawson (AUS/Team Australia). Porsche-Junior Jaxon Evans (Fach Auto Tech) finished on 14th. At one point the New Zealander was running in eighth place only to have a drive-through penalty relegate him down the field. âMy start was good, but I veered slightly off the track and touched another car. Unfortunately the penalty cost me a better result. I take up Sundayâs race from sixth and Iâd like to conclude the season with the best possible result,â stated Evans.
Philipp Sager (Dinamic Motorsport) was delighted with his win in the ProAm classification, with the Austrian beating Stephen Grove (AUS/Team Australia) and Roar Lindland (N/pierre martinet by ALMĂRAS). After the penultimate race, Lindland leads his class with 156 points. Ricardo Sanchez (MRS Cup-Racing) contested a home race this weekend. This marks the first time the driver from Toluca, Mexico, competes in the international one-make cup series, which he concluded in 15th place. Tatiana CalderĂłn (CO/Team Project 1 â Fach) also makes her Supercup debut in Mexico City. The race for the Formula 2 pilot and F1 test driver for Alfa Romeo came to an early end with a collision.
Mexico City also hosts round ten of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. The race gets underway at 10.15am local time. Eurosport televises the event live in over 60 countries. Sky covers the season final in Great Britain and Italy, with Sport 1 broadcasting the international one-make cup in Germany. Fans can also watch the last race live via the official Formula 1 streaming service (F1 TV).
Result
Mexico City, Race 9 of 10
1. Michael AmmermuÌller (D/BWT Lechner Racing)
2. Ayhancan GuÌven (TR/martinet by ALMĂRAS)
3. Tio Ellinas (CY/Momo Megatron Lechner Racing)
4. Julien Andlauer (F/BWT Lechner Racing)
5. Larry ten Voorde (NL/MRS GT-Racing)
6. Jaap van Lagen (NL/martinet by ALMĂRAS)
7. Marius Nakken (N/Team Project 1 â Fach)
8. Joey Mawson (AUS/Team Australia)
9. Gianmarco Quaresmini (I/Dinamic Motorsport)
10. Kantadhee Kusiri (T/Fach Auto Tech)
Points standings after 9 of 10 races
Driversâ classification
1. Michael AmmermuÌller (D/BWT Lechner Racing), 130 points
2. Larry ten Voorde (NL/MRS GT-Racing), 108 points
3. Julien Andlauer (F/BWT Lechner Racing), 106 points