Supercup: Specialist team with first podium
UPWARDS Florian Latorre gave Fach Auto Tech its first podium finish in the 2019 Porsche Supercup at Silverstone. For team boss Alex Fach, the first victory for his drivers is only a matter of time. Since Fach Auto Tech started competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the team from Sattel has been among the frontrunners. In 2014, the team from Schwyz, with the later [...]
Since Fach Auto Tech started competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the team from Sattel has been among the frontrunners. In 2014, the team from Schwyz even won the championship with Earl Bamber, who later became a Porsche works driver and Le Mans winner.
Since then, the specialist people won the one or other race every now and then and also seriously fought for the title. This year, things are a little different at the moment. Only at the fourth race of the season in the run-up to the British GP was a driver from the Swiss team on the podium.
Back to the place of success
The fact that the Silverstone Circuit is one of Florian Latorre's favorite tracks was proven by his surprising victory last year. Starting second behind the later victorious Turk Ayhancan Güven, the 22-year-old Frenchman ran in third last Sunday after 13 laps behind compatriot Julien Andlauer. Before that, fourth place in Monaco was his best result this year.
Florian Latorre: "The last time I was in the top three here was a year ago. This result gives me confidence for the next races. I hope to be on the podium even more often this season."
One learns from mistakes
Jaxon Evans in the second specialist Porsche also had his sights set on a podium finish at the start. The New Zealander got off to a rocket start from third position, moving up to directly behind Güven. After that, however, Evans came under increasing pressure. Within four laps, Andlauer, Latorre and Larry ten Voorde passed the 22-year-old.
Jaxon Evans: "Fifth place is obviously disappointing after such a good start. I really wanted to finish on the podium, unfortunately I made a few mistakes. But I'll learn from it and hopefully show it at the next race."
More expected
Kantadhee Kusiri, the second rookie at Fach Auto Tech alongside Evans, amazed everyone with tenth place in qualifying. After all, 18 drivers were within a second of each other. However, the Thai spun on the first lap and touched another competitor in the process. Although the 26-year-old was able to continue the race, he was unable to finish higher than 23rd.
Although he had inwardly hoped for more after grid positions 2 and 3, the team boss was outwardly satisfied afterwards.
Alex Fach: "Of course you expect more. But Florian and Jaxon fought hard and got two great results. The podium has been our goal for a long time, and now we have finally achieved it. We are happy about that."
Not all cogs are working yet
What is the reason that more has not resulted so far?
Alex Fach: "We are not yet ready with the interaction of the drivers with the team. We need a little longer than expected. That just proves how well we did before. The Supercup is difficult, but we are constantly on an upward trend. That Latorre and Evans will win is only a matter of time."
Off to Hockenheim
In the championship, Porsche Young Professional Julian Andlauer leads with 67 points ahead of multi-champion Michael Ammermüller (64), the strongest rookie Ayhancan Güven (50) and Mikkel Pedersen and Florian Latorre (47 each), who are tied on points. Evans, in eighth place with 34 points, is by no means out of the running either.
The next stop for Fach Auto Tech is the Hockenheimring at the end of July. At the quasi Swiss home race, many compatriots will certainly be rooting for the team with the white-and-red sports cars.
