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PCCF | Alessandro Ghiretti Champion 2024 !

The Porsche Carrera Cup France concluded the 34th edition of its history on the atypical Portimão track. A year after becoming Junior Porsche Motorsport in the Algarve, Alessandro Ghiretti returned to Portuguese soil to claim the title. The Schumacher CLRT driver forced the issue in qualifying. By winning both pole positions, he secured the points he needed to be crowned champion. But his work was not yet done. Never satisfied, Alessandro Ghiretti wanted to finish in style: by winning. In Race 1, the poleman set off perfectly to take the lead. Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT) got off to a more difficult start after a magnificent qualifying session, but was passed by Louis Perrot (Schumacher CLRT). The latter stuck to the leader’s heels, hoping to win his first race in the championship. Alessandro Ghiretti, however, was imperious. Together, the three finished on the podium to give Schumacher CLRT a hat-trick of wins. Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras) and Paul Cauhaupé (Schumacher CLRT) completed the top-5. In the rookie class, Marcus Amand’s victory took him a big step closer to the title. Paul Cauhaupé finished second, Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) third.

On Saturday morning, Alessandro Ghiretti took to the starting grid in a new all-gold livery. During the night, the Schumacher CLRT team had swapped the usual black color of the N°11 car to celebrate the title. The PCCF 2021 junior was determined to shine and take his car to the top step of the podium. Once again, he got off to a very good start and held on to the lead. The battle was intense just behind between the same two leaders of the previous day: Marcus Amand and Louis Perrot. Positions were exchanged several times, with a few small contacts, but the former simracer still got the better of his young team-mate. This new hat-trick confirmed Schumacher CLRT’s superiority and led Côme Ledogar’s team to the Teams title. Third again in Race 2, Marcus Amand finished just short of the overall podium. The Franco-Finnish driver was nonetheless savoring the acquisition of the Rookie championship after a sixth victory in the last six races.

Last year’s runner-up, Marc Guillot, is the new holder of the Pro-Am crown. The ABM driver had to finish the races to secure the title. Having finished second on two occasions, the Dijon-born driver took the points needed for his triumph. His duel with Jérôme Boullery once again livened up the PCCF field. Defeated for the first time since 2021, the Racing Technology resident finished on a high note, winning the last two races. On his return to competition, Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology) was twice on the podium.

Nevertheless, the Racing Technology team won a title. In Am, Cyril Caillo won one of the best races of his career. The N°44 driver had made things easy for himself before the final. He perfected his success by winning two more races, taking his total to ten victories for the year as a whole. Eric Debard (Debard Automobiles by Racetivity) and Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) tasted the joys of podium finishes at this final meeting. The class has been the scene of some great battles throughout the year between a number of protagonists, such as these three drivers and their counterparts this weekend, Jean-Philippe Gambaro (Schumacher CLRT), third in the final class standings, and Patrick Charlaix (TFT Racing).

The Porsche Carrera Cup France leaves the track at the end of this final round of the 2025 season. The 35th edition will open in Barcelona for winter testing on March 4 and 5, 2025, before the season kicks off on the same Catalan circuit from April 4 to 6.

PCCF | Mathys Jaubert back to winning ways at Mugello

Eleven years later, the Porsche Carrera Cup France made its way to the Mugello track in Tuscany. The penultimate round of the 2024 season began with a sensation. For the first time all year, Alessandro Ghiretti was beaten in qualifying. The Schumacher CLRT driver suffered a technical problem that kept him out of action for much of the session. Mathys Jaubert, a Martinet by Alméras resident, put in an excellent session to take the first two poles of his career in the championship. On the front row, alongside Florian Latorre (ABM), the PCCF 2023 junior kept his advantage at the start. Sixth on the grid, Alessandro Ghiretti immediately began his comeback. By mid-race, the Junior Porsche Motorsport 2024 had closed the gap on the leader. For 15 minutes, he exerted constant pressure on his overall runner-up. Mathys Jaubert defended fiercely to claim his second victory of the season. His last came in Race 2 at Paul Ricard in May. Second under the chequered flag, Alessandro Ghiretti picked up important championship points. Third place went to Louis Perrot on the final lap. Attacking Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT), the CLRT Schumacher driver took advantage of his young team-mate’s missed brake to climb onto the podium.The former single-seater resident could console himself with success in the Rookies. Junior PCCF 2024 Paul Cauhaupé (CLRT Schumacher) and Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) finished in the top-3. Florian Latorre (ABM) was fifth overall.

In the morning mist, Mathys Jaubert took the highest place on the grid for Race 2. To his left, Marcus Amand discovered the front row. In view of the cold track conditions and reduced visibility, the start was made under Safety Car. After a lap behind the Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo, the Martinet by Alméras driver held off his rival under braking. Just behind, Paul Cauhaupé locked his wheels and touched Louis Perrot. At the next turn, the Schumacher CLRT driver took the inside of his teammate. He hit him and spun, while the former simracer ended his weekend in the gravel trap. The safety car reappeared. When the green flag was waved again, Alessandro Ghiretti got rid of Marcus Amand to regain second place. Unlike the day before, the championship leader was only able to attack Mathys Jaubert once, on the final lap. As serene as ever, the winner of Race 1 was at it again in Race 2. Although he was unable to clinch the title this weekend, Alessandro Ghiretti will be just a few points away from the crown in Portimão. The podium was completed by Marcus Amand. In addition to an overall top-3 finish, he added a fifth Rookies success. Fourth under the chequered flag, Victor Bernier finished second in his class. Despite his incident, Paul Cauhaupé was able to finish third.

Marc Guillot (Pro-Am) continued his fine form from Dijon at Mugello. The ABM driver beat Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) on both races. The N°21 rider won for the fourth time in a row. Am 2023 champion Sébastien Poisson was third in Pro-Am. In the Am class, Cyril Caillo won for the eighth time this year. However, the Racing Technology driver was challenged. Beaten in qualifying by Jean-Philippe Gambaro (Schumacher CLRT), the class leader had to battle with the poleman in Race 1. The following day, he deprived Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) of his first race win in the class. Eric Debard (Debard Automobiles by Racetivity) took both podiums.

The grand finale of the Porsche Carrera Cup France will take place at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão from October 17 to 19.

PCCF | The 35th season of the Porsche Carrera Cup France will feature regulars and returning tracks

On the eve of the final sprint of the 2024 season, the Porsche Carrera Cup France unveils its 2025 calendar. The new 2025 season will give championship drivers the opportunity to shine on famous French and European tracks that have already contributed to the championship’s reputation.

It promises to be an historic reunion. As winter will draw to a close, the entire paddock will head to Catalonia for two days of testing at the Barcelona circuit on 4 and 5 March.

It’s the ideal place to prepare for the launch of the 2025 season, since the first round will also take place on the Barcelona-Catalunya track (4-6 April). As in the 2024 season, the Porsche Carrera Cup France will make its debut on the opening race of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

FFSA GT4 France will once again play host to Dijon-Prenois (May 9-11). However, the category will be coming to Burgundy earlier than in 2024. Located just behind the Catalan meeting, the Dijon track will provide a second glimpse of the forces at play. It’s also an opportunity for French fans to see the drivers on French tarmac.

Spa-Francorchamps will keep the same place in the 2025 calendar. The teams will be heading to Belgium from 20th to 22nd of June as part of the SRO SpeedWeek. With its lively races, sublime videos and unique photos, the track nestling in the Belgian Ardennes is sure to delight all PCCF fans. At the end of this weekend, the first part of the season will be over, but it will not yet be time for a holiday.

Fans, drivers and teams will have to wait until the end of the fourth round to take a rest. From 18th to 20th of July, the second half of the year kicks off in Misano (Italy). The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli has not been visited by the championship since 2019. On the shores of the Adriatic Sea, in the summer heat, the 992 GT3 Cup cars will prove their worth on the 4.226-kilometre track.

As in Italy, the Porsche Carrera Cup France will join the GT World Challenge Europe paddock in Valencia (Spain), the scene of the fifth meeting of the 2025 season (September 19-21). The Ricardo Tormo circuit was already on the programme in 2022.

Who will add their name to the list of Porsche Carrera Cup France winners? The answer will be given at the end of the last two races of the season. These will take place at Paul Ricard at the same time as the FFSA GT4 France final (3-5 October). In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the champions will be crowned at the end of a promising year in terms of spectacle and battles on the track.

Porsche Carrera Cup France 2025 Calendar

• 04/03 – 05/03 : Official Tests – Barcelone
• 04/04 – 06/04 : Barcelone – ELMS (Races 1 & 2)
• 09/05 – 11/05 : Dijon-Prenois – FFSA GT4 France (Races 3 & 4)
• 20/06 – 22/06 : Spa-Francorchamps – SRO SpeedWeek (Races 5 & 6)
• 18/07 – 20/07 : Misano – GT World Challenge Europe (Races 7 & 8)
• 19/09 – 21/09 : Valence – GT World Challenge Europe (Races 9 & 10)
• 03/10 – 05/10 : Paul Ricard – SRO Festival (Races 11 & 12)

PCCF | A successfull resumption for Alessandro Ghiretti at Dijon-Prenois

With the summer break over, the Porsche Carrera Cup France returned to the historic Dijon-Prenois circuit. Six years after its last visit, the championship brought its 992 GT3 Cup cars to the Burgundy circuit for the first time. Although he was new to the track at the wheel of the Porsche, Alessandro Ghiretti was quick to get into the rhythm. In qualifying, the Porsche Motorsport Junior 2024 claimed his seventh and eighth pole positions of the year. Race 1, contested on Saturday afternoon, saw the overall leader triumph once again after 30 minutes in complete control. However, the battle for second place was fierce. It pitted Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras) against Louis Perrot (CLRT Schumacher). The PCCF 2023 junior and the former simracer kept at it, but the former held the advantage under the chequered flag. Despite a stint in the gravel trap, which kept him out of the fight for the top-3, Marvin Klein (ABM) managed to climb back up to fourth place. The only rookie to have won only once so far, Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT) added a second success in the category. The Franco-Finnish driver came out on top after a tough but fair battle with Paul Cauhaupé (CLRT Schumacher). The PCCF 2024 junior had taken pole. Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) was third.

Once again on the highest spot on the grid in Race 2, Alessandro Ghiretti pulled away perfectly.Lap after lap, his pace increased.He finished the job without a moment’s hesitation to claim his seventh victory in eight races.For the third time in four meetings, he took two wins, two poles and two fastest laps.Marvin Klein’s second place made ABM deliriously happy.For the first time in their history, the Haute Savoie-based team placed one of its cars on the overall podium.The two-time champion of the discipline, his team-mates and the members of the team jumped for joy after this collective triumph.It was undoubtedly one of the finest achievements of their career to date.The two rivals from the previous day found themselves in a battle for the last step of the podium.And just as on Saturday, Mathys Jaubert refused to give in to Louis Perrot, who was as aggressive as ever.On braking into the first bend and in the subsequent sequences, the CLRT Schumacher resident was able to close the gap on the driver in front of him several times, without ever gaining a significant advantage.Starting from ninth place, Marcus Amand made up ground on Paul Cauhaupé, who was fifth at the start, in the opening laps.The battle was intense, but the previous day’s winner once again got the better on the rookie battle.With this double win, the N°99 rider gains important points in the Rookie classification.

The Pro-Am category became a duel between Marc Guillot and Jérôme Boullery.On home soil, the ABM driver was determined to shine.Neck and neck throughout the two races, the Dijon-born driver emerged victorious from his battle with the two-time Racing Technology champion.Cyril Caillo (Racing Technology) dominated the Am category from Friday to Sunday.Jean-Philippe Gambaro (CLRT Schumacher) finished twice behind him, while Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) and Eric Debard (Debard Automobiles by Racetivity) shared third place.

The Porsche Carrera Cup France will be back in just two weeks’ time, at the Mugello circuit on 27-28-29 September.

PCCF | Alessandro Ghiretti on top in Belgium

The Porsche Carrera Cup France travelled to the Belgian Ardennes for the third round of the 2024 season. The championship drivers had a great time on the legendary but difficult Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Alessandro Ghiretti arrived as the championship leader and made a big impact in qualifying. The Schumacher CLRT resident took both poles, more than nine tenths clear of his runner-up! On Saturday evening, the Junior Porsche Motorsport 2024 converted his pole into victory thanks to a very good race pace. Present this weekend with Martinet by Alméras, Dylan Pereira took second place. The 2022 Porsche Supercup champion was unable to catch the day’s winner. Rounding off the podium was regional contender Benjamin Paque. On home soil, the Belgian was keen to show what he could do. Mission accomplished with a first overall podium in Cup France this season for TFT Racing and its driver. Paul Cauhaupé was very solid in defence, particularly against Florian Latorre (ABM), and opened his victory account in the Rookie category. CLRT Schumacher’s Junior PCCF 2024, who had been learning the ropes in Barcelona and performed well on one lap at Paul Ricard, confirmed his form in the race. In the top-10, Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT) and Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) finished on the category podium.

Poleman in race 2, Alessandro Ghiretti saw his young team-mate, Paul Cauhaupé, move up to the front row alongside him. A situation the rookie had never experienced before. Nevertheless, he got off to a perfect start and followed in the wake of the leader. On the brakes at Les Combes, contact between several cars sent Louis Rousset into a spin. First Marc Guillot (ABM) and then Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) collided with the Martinet/Forestier Racing driver. It was a serious incident, from which everyone escaped unscathed, but which necessitated the appearance of the safety car. After around ten minutes behind the Taycan GTS, Alessandro Ghiretti got the pack moving again. The N°11 driver managed the end of the race to end his weekend in the best possible way with another victory. Five minutes from the chequered flag, Dylan Pereira suffered a puncture on the Combes straight. The Luxembourger, who had been in second place, saw his hopes of getting back on the grid dashed. Paul Cauhaupé was propelled into second place. A great defender, he resisted Benjamin Paque’s assaults to claim his first overall podium and another rookie victory. This second success in the category reserved for beginners puts him right back in the fight for the title. In the second half of the season, the PCCF 2024 Junior will be a credible contender for victory every weekend. Third under the chequered flag, Benjamin Paque received a five-second penalty. Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras), winner of one of the two races at Paul Ricard, took advantage. The Rookie top-3 was the same as in Race 1.

Racing Technology swept the board in the Pro-Am and Am categories! In their respective categories, Jérôme Boullery and Cyril Caillo won the weekend’s two races after taking pole positions. The former is doing very well in the championship, while Marc Guillot (ABM) had a more difficult time, finishing third on Saturday and retiring on Sunday. In his first race in the category, Sébastien Poisson (ABM) finished on the podium twice. In the Am category, Eric Debard (Debard Automobiles by Racetivity) had two top-three finishes, while Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) and Jean-Philippe Gambaro (Schumacher CLRT) were also rewarded.

The summer break will give way to the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. The Porsche Carrera Cup France will return to the track in September, from 13 to 15, on the Dijon circuit.

PCCF | Jaubert takes his first victory

The second round of the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup France season lived up to all its promises at Paul Ricard. The star of the Barcelona weekend, Alessandro Ghiretti, immediately set the tone in qualifying. By a margin of 26 thousandths of a second, the Schumacher CLRT driver claimed both pole positions. On Saturday afternoon, the Junior Porsche Motorsport 2024 took advantage of its grid position to win Race 1. Despite having to deal with a safety car restart caused by Louis Perrot (CLRT Schumacher) rolling over, and having to give his rivals an important tow on the Mistral’s interminable straight, the championship leader triumphed for the third time in a row. Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras) finished second. The top-3 was completed by a rookie! Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT), eighth at the start, took the overall podium on his third PCCF start after a smart and well-managed race. The former single-seater driver also won his class ahead of Paul Cauhaupé (Schumacher CLRT) and the young Belgian Kobe Pauwels (SpeedLover), who was a guest driver at this second round of the championship. The latter took advantage of the disqualification of Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) for failing to comply with the tyre regulations.

Once again side by side on the front row in race 2, Alessandro Ghiretti and Mathys Jaubert went head to head on the track. At the early stages of the race, the PCCF 2023 Junior got the better of his rival in the final bend. The two then engaged in a constant battle, with the Schumacher CLRT driver constantly attacking to push the leader into error. A little too aggressive, he went off the track several times and was given a five-second penalty. Warned by his team, Mathys Jaubert gave the lead back to his runner-up and then followed his pace to stay in the right window. It was a strategy that paid off, as it enabled the Martinet by Alméras driver to claim his first win in the category. After 3 podium finishes this year, without ever reaching the top step, last season’s PCCF Junior finally heard the Marseillaise ring out in his honour. Philippe Alméras’ men even scored a one-two thanks to a fine performance from Victor Bernier. Battling throughout the race with Paul Cauhaupé and Benjamin Paque (TFT Racing), the N°17 also discovered the joys of a first overall podium. At the same time, he claimed a third rookie victory ahead of Marcus Amand and Kobe Pauwels.

In Pro-Am, the most consistent driver is Jérémie Lesoudier. Although he didn’t win, the TFT Racing driver finished second twice. The other entrants had mixed fortunes. Marc Guillot (ABM) and Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) won one race and retired from the other, both due to radiator failure. Eric Debard dominated the Am category. Pole positions went to Cyril Caillo (Racing Technology) but the Debard Automobiles by Racetivity driver won both races, his first victories in the championship. Jean-Philippe Gambaro (Schumacher CLRT), Jordan Boisson (TFT Racing) and Cyril Caillo took it in turns to finish in the top-3.

After the South of France, the PCCF paddock will be in the Belgian Ardennes, at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit from 21 to 23 June.

PCCF | Ghiretti starts with a perfect record

The opening round of the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup France season took place on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, setting the tone for a promising year full of surprises. The battle for the title has already begun, and one driver is the man to beat. Double poleman, winner of both races and author of two fastest race laps, Alessandro Ghiretti left his mark on this first meeting. The new Schumacher CLRT driver added two more to his list of achievements at the circuit which saw him claim his first PCCF successes last year. Alessandro Ghiretti started from the front in Race 1, ahead of Mathys Jaubert (Martinet by Alméras), who finished on the second step of the podium. Louis Perrot, who also joined CLRT Schumacher this winter, started his new adventure with a podium finish. Victor Bernier, who had been battling it out with two-time champion Marvin Klein (ABM) for a long time, began his GT career with a fine top-five finish and a victory in the Rookie category. Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT) and Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2024 driver Paul Cauhaupé (Schumacher CLRT) rounded off the top-3 in the class.

The following day, Alessandro Ghiretti was back on the top of the grid. The Junior Porsche Motorsport 2024 was hoping to repeat the success of the previous day by opening up an unbridgeable gap to his pursuers. However, Mathys Jaubert thwarted his plans by coming up on the outside of the poleman during the first braking manoeuvre. He emerged from the first series of corners in the lead of the race, but having passed through the escape route following contact, leading to turn three. This manoeuvre forced him to give up his position to his rival. While waiting for the Martinet by Alméras driver to make his move, Alessandro Ghiretti tried to attack him, putting in some fine passing moves at the start of the race. Once back in the lead, the N°11 took off for another victory. The battle continued between Mathys Jaubert and Louis Perrot. The latter came out on top and finished second, giving Schumacher CLRT a one-two finish. Marvin Klein (ABM) finished fourth ahead of Victor Bernier. The Martinet by Alméras rookie also won his second Rookie title.

The Pro-Am category was entirely dominated by Marc Guillot. Having joined ABM in the off-season, the reigning vice-champion found his rival from last year: Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology). The two-time defending champion had to make do with second place. Jérémie Lesoudier (TFT Racing) occupied the last steps of the podium in Barcelona. In the Am, the laurels promised to the winner went to Cyril Caillo (Racing Technology). After taking part in last year’s Porsche Sprint Challenge France, he made his PCCF debut with two solid victories. The second round of the season will take place on the Paul Ricard circuit in the Var from May 3 to 5. It’s an opportunity for the Barcelona winners to follow up their successes, and for the others to confirm the fine promise they showed during the Catalan weekend.

PCCF | Porsche Carrera Cup France continues its CSR drive with ETS Racing Fuels

Porsche Carrera Cup France has selected the Renewablaze fuel range from ETS Racing Fuels to power the GT3 Cup cars in the 2024 season, which starts this weekend in Barcelona. 20 cars will start on the grid with a new fuel containing 50% sustainable materials which has been successfully tested and validated at the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport AG. A ready-to-use solution that is safe and easy to use, offering a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and helping to significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint of the series, which is committed to following the path of sustainability and showing how motor sport can be a pioneer in the validation and use of ecological solutions adaptable to all.

Renewablaze 102 R50: The ETS Racing Fuels brand is recognised as the expert fuel development partner for the racing industry. Renewablaze 102 R50 offers a true low carbon footprint solution without compromising on performance. This innovative racing fuel is produced from several different sources of sustainable biomass and is made up of 50% biogenic components. This equates to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to an equivalent all fossil fuel super unleaded fuel. Renewablaze 102 R50 complies with the FIA’s sustainable fuels regulations and can be used as a ready-to-use solution.

TChristophe Servens, Head of Product & Motorsport at Porsche France: “For 34 years, the Carrera Cup France has been a concentrate of innovation. This unique approach is a real motivation for all the teams, so it was only natural to join forces with the ETS Racing Fuels teams. We are delighted to be starting this new partnership and to be moving forward together with a shared vision. The implementation of this new fuel is one of the components of our CSR strategy, which will continue to evolve over the coming seasons. Over and above the technology, this new fuel will also contribute to enhanced performance in order to offer our Teams, Drivers and Customers the best of shows.”

The ETS Racing Fuels brand is recognized as the expert fuel development partner for the racing industry. The premium technologies and services in the field of performance and racing fuels used in motorbikes, cars and water sport vehicles. The fuels are designed in close co-operation with leading engine manufacturers and race teams, in order to meet and exceed all the challenges, which come with world-wide racing and regulations. The sustainable Renewablaze portfolio is made from sustainable components and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the motorsport industry. ETS Racing Fuels is a brand of HCS Group, a leading international supplier of solutions for high-value hydrocarbon specialties.

PCCF | 20 911 GT3 Cup cars take on the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup France season

The curtain is about to rise on the 34th edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup France. The prestigious French one-design cup returns to the circuits this weekend in Barcelona, to fully launch its 2024 season. The round in Catalonia is the first of six on a calendar mixing French and European tracks.

The first two meetings will be run at the pace of the European Le Mans Series. Following this opening weekend, the PCCF will return to the ELMS paddock at Paul Ricard in early May. FFSA GT will also host Cup France at SRO Speed Week in Spa-Francorchamps (June 21-23), followed by Dijon (September 13-15). The championship will return to the European Endurance division for the final round at Mugello (September 27-29), followed by the finale at Portimao (October 17-19).

The weekend format remains unchanged, with two free practice sessions on Friday. On Saturday, qualifying (30 minutes) and race 1 (30 minutes) will be broadcast live on the Porsche France YouTube channel and the Porsche Carrera Cup France Facebook account, as will race 2 (30 minutes) on Sunday morning.

The drivers will still be at the wheel of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992s, but with a brand new fuel. In a move to continue the CSR actions within Porsche and the Porsche Carrera Cup France, the championship has set up a partnership with ETS Racing Fuels. The supplier for the 2024 season produces a fuel containing 50% renewable compounds, already used by other Carrera Cups around the world.

Three Porsche Carrera Cup France Juniors and a champion are entered in 2024! Among the drivers supported by the German manufacturer, Alessandro Ghiretti is one to keep a close eye on. A newcomer to Schumacher CLRT, the 2023 runner-up became Junior Porsche Motorsport at the end of last year and is hoping to clinch the title this season. A former PCCF Junior, he joins 2024 winner Paul Cauhaupé (Schumacher CLRT) in his team. Supported by Porsche France, the young Toulousan is entered in the Rookie category with the ambition of winning it. His predecessor Mathys Jaubert enters his second year in the championship with a new team, Martinet by Alméras.

Two-time PCCF champion Marvin Klein (2021 and 2022) has set himself a new challenge with ABM, alongside his commitment to Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and Italy. Another two-time winner, Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology), is aiming for another Pro-Am crown. Finally, Benjamin Paque (TFT Racing), 2023 Rookie champion, will be aiming to win the championship with his new team.

Marlon Hernandez (Martinet/Forestier Racing), Louis Rousset (Martinet/Forestier Racing), Fernando Monje (Martinet by Alméras) and Louis Perrot (CLRT Schumacher) are ready to fight for their first title.

Newcomers to Porsche, Victor Bernier (Martinet by Alméras) and Marcus Amand (Schumacher CLRT) will have a great card to play in the Rookie class, as they attempt to join the fight for the overall title.

The battle in Pro-Am and Am is likely to liven up the heart of the field right from the opening round. Categories in which some drivers are making a comeback, such as Marc Guillot, who has joined the ranks of the ABM team, as has Gilles Colombani. But there are also new drivers returning, like Jérémie Lesoudier (TFT Racing) or making their debut, like Jean-Philippe Lamic (TFT Racing), Cyril Caillo (Racing Technology) or Eric Debard and his team, Debard Automobiles by Racetivity.

PCCF | Safe bets and comebacks, a diverse and exciting calendar

As we reflect on 2023, the focus is already on 2024. With four European destinations and two events in France, the Porsche Carrera Cup France calendar mirrors the championship: thrilling and spectacular. From Barcelona to Portimao, through Paul Ricard or Spa-Francorchamps, the drivers will have exciting playgrounds to compete on.

To endure over time, one must evolve while retaining certain landmarks. The 34th season of the Porsche Carrera Cup France will begin, as always, with official tests. On March 12, participants will not gather at Magny-Cours (Nièvre) but on the Paul Ricard circuit (Var). At Le Castellet, drivers will hit the track to prepare for the opening round.

For the second year in a row, the season will kick off in Catalonia (April 12-14). The Barcelona circuit, the stage for two splendid races filled with battles in all categories, has secured a prominent place in the calendar.

The PCCF will return to the European Endurance Championship paddock a few weeks later at Paul Ricard (May 3-5). In 2024, Le Castellet will not host the finale but the second round of the season.

The third meeting will take place at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) during the SRO Speed Week from June 21 to 23. On the Ardennes rollercoaster, drivers will face a true challenge. Over more than seven kilometers, high speeds and legendary turns will unfold: La Source, Eau Rouge, Le Raidillon, Les Combes, Blanchimont – each with its own story, making this place a mythical location in motorsports. At the end of the last race in Belgium, the first part of the 2024 campaign will be concluded, and the summer break will give way to the Porsche Supercup.

From September 13 to 15, the PCCF will return at Dijon (Bourgogne). The French championships will be celebrated with the FFSA GT4 France. Absent since 2018, the Dijon-Prenois circuit makes a comeback to the calendar.

The end of the season will follow the rhythm of the ELMS. A decade after its last visit, the Cup France goes to Mugello (September 27-29). Since 2013, the French division had not visited the Tuscan track.

Portimao (Portugal) will be the final date on the 2024 program. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve had already hosted the PCCF finale in 2021. That year, several titles were decided in the last race, some even at a photo finish. With the championship always fiercely contested, it’s a safe bet that the 34th season of the Porsche Carrera Cup France will deliver its verdict at the end of this ultimate meeting on the Portuguese track.

PCCF | Paul Cauhaupé, Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2024!

The Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2024 is named Paul Cauhaupé. The Toulouse native succeeds Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing) in the selection honors. At 18, he is about to embark on a new chapter in his career. While Alessandro Ghiretti defended the championship’s colors at the Porsche Junior Shoot-out, the Porsche Carrera Cup France was looking for its new representative.

As is the case every year, the Paul Ricard circuit was the stage for the selection. On November 13 and 14, eight pilots, chosen based on their records, competed to become Mathys Jaubert’s successor. The Junior PCCF 2023 ended his rookie season with honors. Indeed, the TFT Racing pilot secured two podiums overall and finished the rookie championship in second place.

This year, the candidates came from very different backgrounds: Paul Cauhaupé (GT4 European Series), Noé Da Cunha (Caterham Roadsport), Mathieu De Barbuat (LMP3), Marco Gerarduzzi (Porsche Sprint Challenge), Hugo Giraud (Karting), Tim Merieux (Alpine Elf Europa Cup), Mickaël Mota (Ligier JS Cup France), and Owen Tangavelou (FRECA).

For two days, the contenders went through various tests, including sports events, media training, but above all, driving. Behind the wheel of the Porsche 991 GT3 Cup Type 992, the pilots enjoyed multiple sessions on the northern part of the Castellet track. At the end of all these evaluations, Paul Cauhaupé caught the attention of the program’s management. Defeated last year, the 18-year-old now sees the doors of the PCCF open to him.

After a brief stint in karting, the Toulouse native entered motorsport by attending courses at a driving school in an F4, then joining the Mitjet International championship for two meetings. At only 16, Paul entered the Alpine ELF Europa Cup in 2022. In his first full season, he won three times and finished on the podium in the overall standings.

Promoted to the GT4 European Series last year, he is now preparing to discover the Porsche Carrera Cup France. His Junior status offers him personalized support with Porsche driver Patrick Pilet, a €40,000 pre-tax scholarship, a supply of Michelin tires, and the assistance of a partner Porsche Center. All that’s left for him is to hit the track!

Paul Cauhaupé, Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2024: “I am very proud to have been selected and happy that this year is the right one, as I had already participated last year. It’s the result of hard work. I prepared much more than in 2022. I am honored to join the Porsche family because it is my favorite brand. My childhood dream was to represent this manufacturer. I will give my best in this new adventure in the Porsche Carrera Cup France.”

PCCF |

Dorian Boccolacci crowned!

Under a bright sun, the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 field put on another high-flying show for the season finale and crowned Dorian Boccolacci for the first time.

Dorian Boccolacci’s (Forestier Racing CLRT) perfect weekend at Monza a fortnight ago had set the tone for his current form, and this final meeting at the Circuit Paul Ricard confirmed it: at the end of the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France season, the man from Cannes was the strongest on the track, and his two pole positions, each time transformed into success on the fearsome Var track, earned him his first title in the discipline. A distinction he has been chasing for three seasons. A well-deserved triumph, with a total of five wins out of a possible eleven. Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) had a particularly difficult time of it, and his fifth-place finish in Race 1 took away his last hopes, so much so that Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), Boccolacci’s runner-up on Saturday, was the only one left to challenge him for the title on Sunday. But contact at the first corner with Benjamin Paque (Forestier Racing CLRT) forced him to make a mad dash from the last positions, ending up in eighth place.

Second at the chequered flag in the final race of the year, Benjamin Paque was later penalized for his mistake, but this didn’t stop the eighteen-year-old Belgian, who had finished a fine third on the first day, from taking the Rookie title by a whisker ahead of Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing). Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France, meanwhile, had gone from strength to strength, to the point of concluding his campaign with a fine absolute second place in the Var! And while Sébastien Poisson’s (ABM) stranglehold on the Am category was such that he was declared champion as early as race 1, the Pro-Am title was decided right down to the final meters of the season’s racing: neck-and-neck in Le Castellet, outgoing champion Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) and challenger Marc Guillot (Herrero Racing) continued their tussle on the famous Mistral and Signes bends. Guillot was the first to win, but was demoted to third in class for a false start, just ahead of Boullery, who was also penalized for failing to respect the track limits, so the suspense was palpable at the start of Race 2. But Jérôme Boullery was not to be shaken, using all his experience to pocket another victory, synonymous with a second consecutive Pro-Am title for the Racing Technology driver. It was a fitting conclusion to another Porsche Carrera Cup France season rich in spectacle, emotion and superb on-track confrontations.

PCCF |

Boccolacci on target at Monza!

Following Marvin Klein’s (TFT Racing) one-two finish at the Red Bull Ring, the reaction of title rivals Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) and Dorian Boccolacci (Forestier Racing CLRT) was eagerly awaited. The Monza track, known as the temple of speed and the scene of the penultimate meeting of the season, provided the ideal setting. Boccolacci made his intentions clear in qualifying, taking the weekend’s two pole positions, before confirming his current excellent form with victory in the inaugural wet race.

Dorian even continued his recital on Sunday, this time under sunny skies, by winning race 2, after having seen his lead reduced by the intervention of the safety car. Combined with his two fastest laps of the race, he achieved a full house from an accounting point of view, and came within just two points of the provisional leader, Alessandro Ghiretti. Alessandro Ghiretti was once again a model of consistency, with another two second places, giving him hope of winning the Porsche Carrera Cup 2023. While this is still mathematically possible, it may be more difficult for Marvin Klein, who had a lacklustre weekend, with fourth and fifth places to his credit, and who saw his deficit widen somewhat.

Indeed, it was young Belgian Benjamin Paque (Forestier Racing CLRT) who completed the podium on the first day, winning the Rookies’ race at the same time, where he also took command of the championship. This was despite the fact that at the end of the second race, he lost the Rookie victory to Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing). Jaubert had also had his share of bad luck in Race 1 with a wheel nut problem. On Sunday, it was Louis Perrot’s (Imsa LS Group Performance) turn to take third place overall, his second consecutive podium after the Red Bull Ring, a sign of his growing power.

In the Pro-Am class, Marc Guillot (Herrero Racing) once again proved his worth with a win and a second-place finish, but Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology), who won the class in the final race of the weekend, is sure to call on all his experience to try and hold on to his lead as the two men are neck and neck. In Am, Sébastien Poisson has been the man in form since the start of the season, and has continued his winning streak with a third and fourth consecutive victory, putting him in a favourable position ahead of the final of the Porsche Carrera Cup France 2023. As has become customary in recent years, the final will take place on the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet from October 6 to 8, and promises to be a high-flying spectacle at every level!

PCCF |

Marvin Klein shines in Austria!

After a unique meeting in the magnificent setting of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June, the Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers headed for the Red Bull Ring in Austria this weekend for the fourth stage of the season. A first on this circuit for the PCCF! Winner of the weekend’s two races, Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) got off to a perfect start.

Appreciated for its gradient and fast sections, the Red Bull Ring is an ideal track for exploiting all the qualities of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992. Competitors were soon to discover this in free practice, where everyone tried to fine-tune their set-up for qualifying. Forestier Racing CLRT dominated the session, with Dorian Boccolacci ahead of Benjamin Paque. But both were downgraded for technical non-conformity, so Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) and Louis Perrot (IMSA LS Group Performance) inherited the front row of the grid for both races.

Reactive at the start of the first heat, Marvin Klein positioned himself ideally at the entrance to the first bend to counter Louis Perrot’s ambitions. Unburdened by his rival’s pressure, Klein made the most of the track to claim his third win of the season. Dorian Boccolacci had already made a spectacular comeback last July in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, held on the same circuit. On Saturday, he started from twenty-fifth position and showed all his determination and sense of attack to finish Race 1 in second place – a fine birthday present for his 25th birthday!

Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), who had arrived in Austria as provisional championship leader, joined Klein and Boccolacci on the podium. “A lonely Jérémy Sarhy (Racing Technology) took fourth place under the chequered flag, ahead of Benjamin Paque, who also made a fine comeback to win the Rookie category. In the Pro-Am class, Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) lived up to his status as title-holder, winning ahead of Marc Guillot (Herrero Racing) and Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM). Sébastien Poisson (ABM) confirmed his good qualifying session with a third AM win of the season, ahead of team-mate Karim Ajlani and Ludovic Loeul (Porsche Lorient Racing).

On Sunday, Marvin Klein took advantage of his pole position, as he had done the day before, to get off to the best start and dominate the race from start to finish, regularly distancing his pursuers. Alessandro Ghiretti, who had an incisive start at lights-out, dislodged Louis Perrot from second place, before putting the pressure on Klein. Second at the chequered flag, the Martinet by Alméras driver nonetheless scored important points in the fight for the title, which once again promises to be particularly tight at the end of the season. Louis Perrot, the former Simracer driver, was able to savour the joy of a first podium finish in Porsche Carrera Cup France, thanks to a fine display of speed throughout the weekend.

Determined to make the same comeback as in the inaugural race, Dorian Boccolacci made another series of overtakes to cross the finish line in fourth place. And it was Jérémy Sarhy who completed the Top 5. Seventh behind guest driver Artem Slutskii (Target Compétition), Benjamin Paque once again won the Rookie classification.

Marc Guillot, winner of the Pro-Am class, took back a few points from Jérôme Boullery, while Christophe Lapierre (Martinet by Alméras) returned to the podium after finishing sixth the previous day. Sébastien Poisson finally made an impact in the Am with another victory ahead of Karim Ajlani, who came close to a correctional penalty with an on-track collision. Ludovic Loeul proved his consistency with another third place in class.

The first appearance of the Porsche Carrera Cup France on the Red Bull Ring in Austria lived up to all its promises, with some particularly hotly contested races. Drivers and teams now have a few days in which to analyze the return to action, before heading to Monza (Italy), the famous temple of speed, from September 22 to 24, for the penultimate stretch of this exciting season!

PCCF |

Klein takes on the myth!

After Barcelona and Magny-Cours, the drivers of the Porsche Carrera Cup France met at Le Mans to contest “THE” race of the year on the Sarthe circuit, as part of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a not-to-be-missed event for a brand celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Second in the provisional Porsche Carrera Cup France standings with victory in Race 1 at Magny-Cours, Dorian Boccolacci (Forestier Racing CLRT) was looking forward to racing on the legendary Le Mans circuit. After free practice to familiarize himself with the Sarthe track, Boccolacci set an exceptional time with a good strategy that enabled him to start from pole position. At 0’817, Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) was also on the front row of a starting grid comprising 63 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 cars.

On Saturday morning, tensions were running high as the only race on the calendar got underway. Starting from pole position, Dorian Boccolacci (Forestier Racing CLRT) maintained his advantage before being trapped in the confusion on the restart after a “Slow Zone” at the halfway point. Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) took the lead ahead of Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras). Everyone was looking for a way to gain a place, whether it was by taking suction or delaying braking.

At the end of an intense race, Klein pulled off a very good operation, winning this fifth race of the season for Porsche Carrera Cup France ahead of Boccolacci, who managed to get the last word on Ghiretti after an intense duel. The latter could breathe a sigh of relief after a scare in the race.

Winner of the Porsche Supercup 2022, Dylan Pereira (Mtech Competition), ranked outside the championship, couldn’t miss this exceptional race. The Luxembourger put his experience to good use and took overall victory.

Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing), Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2023, had a great race, finishing fifth overall, in addition to his “Rookie” victory. Louis Rousset (CLRT) and Benjamin Paque (CLRT) completed the podium reserved for novices to the discipline.

The race was also very lively in the Pro-Am category. Ryan Ratcliffe (Team Parker Racing) was the winner of the Sarthe stopover, while Christophe Lapierre (Martinet by Alméras) won the category as part of the Porsche Carrera Cup France. Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) and Maxence Maurice (IMSA LS Group Performance) joined Lapierre on the Pro-Am podium. In the Am category, Jean-Philippe Gambaro (CLRT) won ahead of Julien Fébreau (Martinet by Alméras), both guest drivers, and Ludovic Loeul (Porsche Lorient Racing).

The event of the year lived up to all its promises, with a high-flying race on all levels. The drivers will now take advantage of the summer break before returning to a F1 standard from September 8 to 10, for the fourth round of the season at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

PCCF |

Boccolacci and Klein react!

After Alessandro Ghiretti’s (Martinet by Alméras) one-two finish in Barcelona, Dorian Boccolacci (Forestier Racing CLRT) and Marvin Klein (TFT Racing) shared the success at the second meeting of the season in Magny-Cours.

The reaction was expected and it was not long in coming. Deprived of victories by Alessandro Ghiretti at the opening of the debates in Catalonia, Dorian Boccolacci and Marvin Klein, the duettists of the two previous seasons, were expected to win in the Nièvre. Boccolacci was the first to take the two pole positions and converted the first one into success under a beautiful sun. He had every intention of repeating the feat on Sunday in the rain, when he was prematurely caught by his teammate Benjamin Paque (Forestier Racing CLRT), who had been a brilliant third and first Rookie on Saturday, forcing him to climb from the depths of the standings to sixth place.

Penalized for not respecting the race limits on the first day, Marvin Klein took advantage of this to win his first laurels of the year in race 2. TFT Racing’s first in the discipline too, after a great battle with Alessandro Ghiretti. Twice runner-up this weekend, the latter nevertheless made an excellent operation and scored precious points. After Benjamin Paque on Saturday, it was Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing), the Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2023, who took his first podium, synonymous with victory in the Rookies category, ahead of Louis Perrot (IMSA LS Group Performance), who also climbed one place from the previous day, and Jérémy Sarhy (Racing Technology), who made a superb comeback in these precarious grip conditions from seventeenth place on the grid.

In the Pro-Am class, Marc Guillot (Herrero Racing) confirmed the performance achieved in qualifying by winning race 1 ahead of Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology), the outgoing champion, and Maxence Maurice (IMSA LS Group Performance). On the other hand, he was more feverish under the rain on Sunday, and it was Christophe Lapierre (Martinet by Alméras), the former five-time champion in the category, who used his experience to win ahead of Frédéric Ancel (Porsche Lorient Racing) and Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM). The Am classification went first to Sébastien Poisson (ABM) and then to Ludovic Loeul (Porsche Lorient Racing). The Porsche Carrera Cup France will now take a month’s break before what promises to be the highlight of the year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 8-10), the centenary of the event and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Porsche brand. Thanks to a good start to the season and with 92 points in the general classification, Alessandro Ghiretti will arrive in the Sarthe at the head of the Championship and will be more than ever the man to beat!

PCCF |

Ghiretti claims his first wins!

The stopwatch has delivered its first verdict in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. One of the lessons learned in Barcelona is that Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) will have to be counted on for the title. Third last year, behind the duettists Marvin Klein and Dorian Boccolacci, who have since moved on to TFT Racing and Forestier Racing CLRT respectively, he inherited the role of leader this season in his team and it is clear that he took on his new responsibilities perfectly in Catalonia. He scored his first two wins, after holding off former teammate Dorian Boccolacci with authority. On Saturday, Ghiretti was joined on the podium by Boccolacci and the young Belgian rookie Benjamin Paque (Forestier Racing CLRT), winner of the 2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge, while Mathys Jaubert (TFT Racing), Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2023, and Louis Perrot (IMSA LS Group Performance) made a convincing start to the campaign by finishing in the top five.

The scenario was almost identical on Sunday, but Boccolacci let second place slip away after an unsuccessful attempt to overtake, to the benefit of Benjamin Paque, who confirmed the extent of his potential. However, Boccolacci benefited from the five-second penalty (for not respecting the track limits) inflicted on Marvin Klein, the two-time defending champion, who returned to the front after an aborted first race (due to a flat tire), to keep third place.

In Pro-Am, the Canadian Bashar Mardini (Tsunami RT) took the laurels of the category, but Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology), the outgoing champion, confirmed that he was a candidate for his own succession by winning on Sunday in front of the surprising Marc Guillot (Herrero Racing). In the Am, Sébastien Poisson (ABM) let the success slip on the first day to the benefit of the newcomer Gilles Colombani (Team Clairet Sport), but made up for it by winning the second race. In other words, this first confrontation augurs a new season particularly disputed at all levels, with the emergence of new talents, who will want to confirm from the next meeting of Magny-Cours (May 5-7), where two new races are scheduled.

PCCF |

Nearly 30 entries and Le Mans as the highlight!

With a five-star calendar featuring one race at the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans and a popular format combining sportsmanship and enjoyment, the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France once again promises to be a true success. On March 30th, twenty-seven Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992s will be gathering in Magny-Cours for the traditional preseason tests.

This increasingly attractive programme relies on three main ingredients: the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 – a car that is unrivalled in terms of driving experience – prestigious circuits that allow the drivers to enjoy its full potential, and a rigorous yet friendly environment. The Porsche Carrera Cup France has always managed to renew itself while remaining true to its founding principles. This year, eleven Pro cars (including four rookies), eight Pro-Am cars, and eight Am cars will be hitting the tracks, with no less than five different nationalities represented.

As for the teams, some of them will be new to the championship (Team Clairet Sport, F4 Events Motorsport, Herrero Racing), while others will be returning to it (Porsche Lorient, Speed Lover, Tsunami RT). Enough to shake up the series’ regulars (Martinet by Alméras, Racing Technology, ABM, CLRT, IMSA LS Group Performance, TFT Racing).

During the off-season, a game of musical chairs somehow reshuffled the cards. Two-time defending champion Marvin Klein will try to notch up a third win, but will be racing for TFT Racing this season. His toughest rival in the last two seasons Dorian Boccolacci has joined Team CLRT. 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) is the only driver within last season’s top three to remain with the same team. He will try to shake up the current hierarchy. So will Louis Perrot, who will now drive for Imsa LS Group Performance, while Victor Blugeon has sticked with the Savoie-based team ABM. 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Mathys Jaubert will get the opportunity to learn alongside Marvin Klein at TFT Racing.

In the Pro-Am class, it will not be an easy task for Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) to defend his title given his competitors: Maxence Maurice (Imsa LS Group Performance), Christophe Lapierre (Martinet by Alméras), and 2022 Am class champion Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM). The Am category promises to be very competitive too. Sébastien Poisson (ABM) will want to build on last year’s promising results, racing against a crowd of newcomers as well as against Christian Jaquillard (Racing Technology) who will be returning to the competition.

With six events and eleven races, this 2023 season promises to be once again particularly exciting and competitive. The track will deliver a first verdict for the official season-opener held in Barcelona as part of the ELMS (April 21st-23rd). The teams will then head to Magny-Cours for another two races (May 5th-7th), before the season’s highlight as part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 8th-10th). This also coincides with Porsche’s return to the main endurance class as well as with the brand’s 75th anniversary. Having partnered with Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, Porsche France will offer its drivers one of the finest playing fields in the world, with no less than 71 flat-six engines roaring through La Sarthe during this legendary race. After the summer break, the second half of the season will be just as exciting, including one event at the Red Bull Ring in Austria (September 8th-10th), another one at Monza – Italian temple of speed – (September 22nd-24th), and the two traditional finale races at the Paul Ricard circuit (October 6th-8th), for what promises to be a thrilling finish.

PCCF |

Mathys Jaubert named 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior

Press release, November 16, 2022

The second time was a charm for Mathys Jaubert! At only 17 years old, the driver from Salon de Provence has been selected as this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior.

Jaubert is looking to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps and add to the list of winners generated from this now famous selection. Florian Latorre, Marvin Klein, Hugo Chevalier, Alessandro Ghiretti… the list is impressive and demonstrates the merits of this contest launched eight years ago.

After a pre-selection process based on sporting achievements, eight hopefuls were chosen: Elliott Vayron, Alexis Garcin, Marius Fossard, Marlon Hernandez, Mathys Jaubert, Paul Cauhaupé, Romain Andriolo and Sacha Maguet gathered on 1-3 November at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet. Their shared goal was to succeed last year’s winner, Mathieu Martins, credited with a promising first campaign in the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France that included a fourth place finish at the final race of the season.

As usual, the eight candidates were subjected to an extensive series of tests, among them driving the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992. Jaubert, who will turn 18 in March 2023, distinguished himself even more convincingly than during his first attempt in 2020 thanks to his driving ability, maturity, improvement, and capacity to adapt and listen.

After a solid career in karting during which he made his mark at every level, Jaubert moved into car racing in 2021 and earned the French title in the Caterham Roadsport Championship. His success continued in 2022, this time with the title in Caterham 420R, along with an impressive first foray into the Ligier European Series, as preamble to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a pole position and two second place finishes to his credit. The experience will undoubtedly prove useful to him when driving the jewel of the field, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992, in the Porsche Carrera Cup France.

Jaubert will benefit from personalised support from Patrick Pilet as well as a grant of €40,000 (excluding VAT), an endowment of Michelin tyres and a sponsorship from a partner Porsche Centre…everything he needs to take on the next Porsche Carrera Cup season!

Mathys Jaubert, 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior I am very proud and honoured to have been chosen because the competition level was extremely high! This is the result of continued hard work I have done over the course of several years, and I am really happy to have succeeded this time after my first attempt in 2020. I would like to thank everyone from the organisation who supported us, the Driving Koncept team that helped me so much and the drivers I met for their invaluable guidance. I am proud to join Porsche and I hope to gain as much experience as possible in this new adventure.

PCCF |

The Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans the highlight of a dream 2023 calendar

Press release, October 27, 2022

With six events and eleven races, the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France calendar once again skillfully balances prestigious European destinations and renowned French circuits. The most famous among them will host the Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans as the opening race to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-11 June).

In the landscape of French motorsport, the Porsche Carrera Cup France never disappoints, succeeding season after season in offering an increasingly attractive programme. Next year is no exception with the traditional preseason tests at Magny-Cours (04/04), then the official season-opener at Barcelona (21-23/04) with two ELMS races, before returning to France (05-07/05) for a FFSA GT4 Championship weekend.

Followed by the most anticipated moment of the season, the Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans, to be held in the form of a single round as a preamble to the iconic 24-hour race! The centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-11 June) promises to be historic in more ways than one. It will indeed mark the 100th anniversary of the race, but will also signal the return of Porsche to the head class with its LMDh prototype developed by Porsche Penske Motorsport.

To honour the occasion, the Porsche Carrera Cup France has partnered with the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia to offer its drivers one of the finest playing fields in the world. The last running of this exciting round was held in September 2020 on a wet track after which Larry ten Voorde (Nebulus Racing by Huber) came out on top in the field of 52 starters.

At nearly 14 km in length, Le Mans is one of the most legendary circuits in existence, and also where Porsche has written some of the most outstanding pages in its sporting history. As a worthy successor to the 911 RSR that won LMGTE Pro class at the 2022 24 Hours, there is no doubt the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 will be in its element on the Mulsanne Straight and in the Porsche Curves.

The second half of the 2023 season is certain to prove just as thrilling, with competitors hitting the track at the Red Bull Ring (08-10/09) in Austria, then heading to the Monza circuit (22-24/09) known as the Italian temple of speed, both for the GT Open. The Porsche Carrera Cup France typically comes down to the wire, so the two traditional finale races at the Paul Ricard circuit (06-08/10) will provide yet another electrifying close to an exceptional season.

Marc Meurer, CEO Porsche France: “The 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup France is once again shaping up to be an excellent season of racing. The calendar is designed to allow our drivers to demonstrate their talent all while thoroughly relishing being at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992. The Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans just before the centenary running of the 24 Hours, coinciding with Porsche’s return to the head class, will certainly be one of the great highlights of the season. We are delighted to co-organise this event with the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia since we share the same ambition: to bring motorsport to life for our drivers and the spectators in pure Porsche tradition, through professionalism, sportsmanship and enjoyment.”

PCCF |

Klein crowned for the second time in a row

Press release, October 16, 2022

Arriving with five victories each in Le Castellet for the final meeting of the Porsche Carrera Cup France season, Marvin Klein and Dorian Boccolacci reserved a breathtaking finale. With two more victories in the Var, Marvin Klein has won his second consecutive title at the age of 23.

If it is never easy to win a first title, confirming it is often even more complicated. This is however the superb performance achieved by Marvin Klein at the end of the last meeting of the Porsche Carrera Cup France 2022 held on the Paul Ricard circuit. Having arrived in the lead in the Var, just fourteen points ahead of Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras), his great rival of the last two seasons, the CLRT driver reaffirmed his intention to achieve the pass of two by winning the pole positions in each of the two confrontations.

But Boccolacci remained in ambush, finishing each qualifying session as runner-up. It was undoubtedly on Saturday, during the first race of the weekend, held after dark, that Marvin Klein struck the biggest blow. Indeed, he signed an uncontested victory in front of Boccolacci and Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) to present himself at the start of the last race of the season, with a lead of twenty-two units.

Unless Klein had a surprise counter-performance, it was going to be a difficult mission for Boccolacci in race 2. However, he once again showed his characteristic panache, taking the lead at the end of the race thanks to an excellent start. But he eventually succumbed to the repeated attacks of Klein, who took his seventh victory of the season and thus his second consecutive Porsche Carrera Cup France title. Boccolacci, once again second, actively contributed to the victory of Martinet by Alméras in the Teams category. Third in this last race, Bastian Buus (Allied Racing) failed by 2 units to beat Ghiretti, who was forced to retire, for the third position in the final general classification of the 2022 Cup.

Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) and Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM) were also among the winners of the year, in Pro-Am and Am respectively. They arrived at Le Castellet with eight wins each from ten rounds, and confirmed their status as leaders by taking the respective pole positions in their categories for each of the two contests on the programme. Dussolliet achieved a faultless performance, with two new victories, and a title confirmed on Saturday evening. Boullery was also crowned at the end of the first day of racing, thanks to a second position behind Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology), and he finished on Sunday in style by climbing for the ninth time this year on the highest step of the Pro-Am podium.

The Porsche Carrera Cup France was once again a thrilling event, fought out to its conclusion, offering its drivers an exciting field of expression and the same kind of sensations.

PCCF|

Boccolacci and Klein trade equal blows!

Press release, September 19, 2022

The Porsche Carrera Cup France made its first ever trip to the Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo racetrack as part of the GT World Challenge. Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) took honours in race one before Marvin Klein (CLRT) hit back in the rain in Sunday’s race. Better placed on the starting grid for Race 1, Dorian Boccolacci was the fastest out of the blocks. He grabbed the early lead and went on to dominate the race, never seriously troubled by his rivals. After running wide onto the gravel, Marvin Klein managed to find sufficient pace in the second half of the race to fight back and finish as runner-up. Bastian Buus (Allied Racing) took the final podium spot. Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) produced a solid performance in the Pro-Am class to take first place whilst the ABM team dominated the AM class as Sébastien Dussolliet led home a one-two-three, followed by Sébastien Poisson and Karim Ajlani. Conditions were different on Sunday for Race 2 with rain falling from the opening stages. Marvin Klein made the most of his pole position to get off to the best start, before diving into the pits quickly to fit wet weather tyres. This aggressive strategy enabled him to take the lead and then hold onto it until the end of the race. His fifth win of the season ensured Klein remains top of the Cup standings. Dorian Boccolacci managed to grab second place ahead of Vincent Andronaco (Allied Racing). Jérôme Boullery took advantage of mistakes by Sylvain Noël and Clément Mateu to claim his second win of the weekend in the Pro-Am class, whilst ABM outshone their rivals once again in the AM category, as Sébastien Dussolliet took top honours and Sébastien Poisson and Karim Ajlani completed the podium.

PCCF |

Boccolacci throws the Cup back wide open!

Press release, June 19, 2022

At round four of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France held in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) was expected – and perhaps needed – to bounce back, coming into the weekend trailing defending champion and in-form Marvin Klein (CLRT) by forty-three points after the last meeting at Magny-Cours. On this unusual track, with its banked corners, Boccolacci was in unbeatable form, grabbing pole position for both races before converting his starting grid advantage into two race wins. Meanwhile, Klein had to settle for second place in race 2 as his best result, allowing his rival to close the gap in the standings to just 14 points. Boccolacci produced a perfect performance in the opening race, leading from start to finish, despite constant pressure from his team-mate Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras). Whilst fighting with Simone Iaquinta (Dinamic Motorsport) for third place, Klein’s race was ruined when the two clashed. The closing stages of the race were also eventful in the Pro-Am class as an error by Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) allowed his team manager Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology) to take advantage, whilst Sébastien Dussolliet returned to winning ways after a poor weekend at Magny-Cours, taking his fifth victory of 2022. A dramatic start to the second race saw Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) retire with a mechanical issue, whilst Boccolacci was in a class of his own, claiming a commanding lights-to-flag win. Marvin Klein (CLRT) finished as runner-up, a place somewhat more in keeping with his ambitions, whilst Iaquinta (Dinamic Motorsport) took the final podium spot once again. Jérôme Boullery and Sébastien Dussolliet confirmed their status as favourites in their categories, each claiming a sixth class win in Pro-Am and Am respectively. The Porsche Carrera Cup France now takes a break for the summer, returning to action in Valencia on 16-18 September.

PCCF |

Klein in total control

Press release, May 15, 2022

A week after Spa-Francorchamps, the Porsche Carrera Cup France headed to Magny-Cours for round three of the series, held as part of the Championnat de France FFSA des Circuits. Marvin Klein (CLRT) produced a flawless performance in central France, claiming two pole positions and two race wins to take maximum points from the weekend and extend his championship lead. A crash in race one cut short the racing action to a ten-minute sprint. Klein managed the restart perfectly, holding off the attentions of Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) to collect his third win of the season. Danish driver Bastian Buus (Allied Racing) took the final podium spot. Meanwhile, Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) bagged his fifth consecutive win in the Pro-Am class, while Stéphane Louard (ABM) finished ahead of Patrick Charlay (TFT Racing) in the Am class. In Saturday’s race, Marvin Klein (CLRT) executed his plan perfectly as he dominated the race from start to finish, once again collecting a bonus point for the fastest race lap. Forced to score heavily after finishing fourth in race one, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) pushed hard to try and get past the leader but to no avail. He finished runner-up ahead of Bastian Buus (Allied Racing) and remains in touch with Klein in the Cup standings. Clément Mateu (CLRT) took advantage of the close battle between team-mates Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology) and Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) to grab victory in the Pro-Am class. Finally, Sébastien Poisson confirmed the domination of ABM in the Am class as he grabbed the team’s second win of the weekend, finishing ahead of Stéphane Louard and Patrick Charlay (TFT Racing). The Porsche Carrera Cup France now takes a four-week mid-season break. Action resumes on 18-19 June – again as part of the GT World Challenge Europe – at the demanding Zandvoort race track, where the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation) drivers are sure to enjoy a special thrill taking on the iconic Tarzan corner, famous for its overtaking moves.

Boccolacci replies to Klein!

Press release, May 7, 2022

Unable to do better than third place in one of the races at the opening meeting of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France in Nogaro, 2021 series runner-up Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) simply had to bounce back at round two, contested at the Spa-Francorchamps meeting as one of the support series to the FIA World Endurance Championship. At the iconic Belgian track, which has often proved to be a happy hunting ground for his rival and defending champion Marvin Klein (one race win 2020, two in 2021), the Cote d’Azur driver grabbed pole position for both races, before managing to convert each into a win. Meanwhile, Klein – having been so dominant during the opening weekend in the south of France – had to settle for runner-up behind Boccolacci, results that nonetheless secured him valuable points for the championship. The fight between the two men is very much back on!

Expectations had also been high for Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), winner of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior title, but he struggled on this unusual track, finishing ninth and seventh after starting from the back of the grid in each race. Danish driver Bastian Buus (Allied Racing) took full advantage to grab the final podium place in race 1, followed by Evan Spenle (CLRT) and Louis Perrot (TFT Racing). Perrot, who this year switched from the Porsche Sprint Challenge France – where he is the reigning champion– confirmed his rapid progress as he claimed a maiden podium in the series in race 2, ahead of Victor Blugeon (ABM) and Evan Spenle (CLRT).

Winner of both races in Nogaro, last year’s Pro-Am class runner-up Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) confirmed his title ambitions in Belgium with another pair of victories. The Am class was similarly dominated by Sébastien Dussolliet, who led home an ABM one-two-three in both races, joined on the podium by his stable-mates Sébastien Poisson and Stéphane Louard. Performances that the Porsche Carrera Cup France competitors will be aiming to build on, as they look to keep up their good form next weekend at the third meeting of the season, held this time at Magny-Cours as part of the FFSA French Track Racing Championship.

Marvin Klein simply unbeatable

Press release, April 19, 2022

The Coupes de Pâques meeting, traditionally held over the Easter weekend at the Nogaro race track, played host to the start of the 2022 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup France. Defending champion Marvin Klein (CLRT) claimed both pole positions, which he then converted into two dominant race wins. Behind Klein, the remaining podium places in race 1 were taken by Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) and Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras), whilst in the second race Klein was once again joined on the podium by Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), again on his shirt-tails, with Evan Spenle (CLRT) finishing third. Alexander Tauscher (Allied-Racing) made a promising start to his career in the French Porsche Carrera Cup. The young German finished an impressive fourth overall on day one.

In Monday’s race, Mathieu Martins (Martinet by Alméras), winner of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Programme, also made a strong debut to his career in the series, grabbing a top-five finish. A serious contender for the Pro-Am title, having finished as runner-up in 2021, Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology) had the perfect opening weekend, winning both races in the class. Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM) enjoyed similar success in the AM class, moving top of the standings with two race wins in south-western France. After visiting this “classic” French track, the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers head north at the start of May to tackle the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is also hosting round two of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), for a two-race weekend.

PCCF |

A Porsche Carrera Cup France still in high demand!

Press release, March 2nd, 2022

With twenty-one entrants, a mix of regulars and new faces, the thirty-second edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, and the second with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992, is shaping up to be a great success. We take a look at the line-up for the traditional pre-season test at Magny-Cours on Thursday 3rd March.

With most of the competitors already having a year’s experience at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 type 992, the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France promises to be an even more intense season in terms of emotions and tightness on the track! Especially since Marvin Klein (CLRT), the outgoing champion, is putting his title back on the line, as is his best opponent from last year, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras). Last season, the first one had won six times, against five to the second one, and their mano à mano had only revealed its epilogue during the last race. There is no doubt that they will be among the great animators of this new vintage. In the ranks of the twelve Pro drivers, we can also count on Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), the Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2021, author of no less than six podiums last year! to continue his rise to power, as well as Evan Spenle (CLRT) or Ugo Gazil (CLRT). Mathieu Martins (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), the Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2022, will try to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, progressing step by step, thanks to the support provided by Porsche France.

The Annecy-based team ABM, whose spearhead will always be Victor Blugeon, is increasing its presence, with now four cars entered, the team intends to have its say. As well as TFT Racing, last year’s winner of the Porsche Sprint Challenge France, whose flag bearer will be Louis Perrot, the Porsche Sprint Challenge France Champion, proof of the validity of the Porsche network in France. Not forgetting the presence of foreigners who confirm the international dimension of the French Cup: the Australian Aaron Love (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), third in his national Carrera Cup in 2020, will obviously be one to watch, as will the Allied Racing team, which is fielding the Dane Bastian Buus, winner of the Pro-Am Cup in the GT4 European Series in 2020.

The show will be present at all the meetings of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France, with the Pro-Am and Am categories once again promising. Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology), who came close to winning the Pro-Am title last year, is the legitimate favourite for the title, but he will have to contend with the experienced Christophe Lapierre (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology), as well as Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance), the outgoing Am champion, and Clément Mateu (CLRT). Finally, in the Am class, Sébastien Dussoliet (ABM) is clearly the scarecrow, with three successes in four appearances in 2021, but Patrick Charlaix (TFT Racing), Sébastien Poisson (ABM) and Stéphane Louard (ABM) could spring a surprise! The pre-season tests scheduled for this Thursday at Magny-Cours will allow them to get their bearings, before considering chasing the stopwatch during the opening meeting scheduled at Nogaro, as part of the FFSA French Circuit Championship, from 16 to 18 April next.

PCCF |

Mathieu Martins named 2022 Junior PCCF winner!

Press release, November 24, 2021

The 20-year-old French driver will follow in the footsteps of predecessor Alessandro Ghiretti in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Program.

For seven years now, this announcement has been the long-awaited end-of-season moment for aspiring talent, two days organized by Porsche France for the Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Program. Aiming to spotlight and support tomorrow’s drivers at the highest level, the program has certainly proven itself over the years, and 2021 winner Alessandro Ghiretti has demonstrated its merit perfectly. Fourth overall in the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France, with no less than six podiums, Ghiretti has set the bar extremely high, but his successor Mathieu Martins is looking to take up the torch with gusto.

Martins stood out in a pre-selection of eight young talents during two vigorous days of tests (14-16 November at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet) overseen by the Porsche Carrera Cup France team and Porsche Motorsport driver Patrick Pilet. Martins was joined by Maxence Sevin, Kajus Siksnelis, Arthur Rasse, Margaux Verza, Andy Noah, Mathieu Fretin and Lilou Wadoux-Ducellier from Porsche and other constructor one-make series, F4 and karting. Martins distinguished himself through his driving skills, maturity, capacity for progress, as well as his ability to adapt and listen.

These are all qualities that the runner-up in the JS2R class of the Ligier European Series will undoubtedly need to continue to rise in the very demanding arena of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France. To do so, he can count on personalized support from Patrick Pilet, a grant of € 40,000 before tax, an endowment of Michelin tires and financial assistance from a partner Porsche Center. Martins should therefore feel more at ease as he makes his debut at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992.

2022 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner Mathieu Martins What is happening to me is unbelievable and I don’t have the words to describe how I feel. I have dreamed of joining the Porsche family since I was little, so this is a bit like an early Christmas! I would like to thank everyone on staff at Porsche who were so kind to welcome me, advise and boost me up during the two selection days. I learned a great deal, as much about driving as about the physical aspects and also relative to the media. I would like to acknowledge everyone who has been with me in this adventure over the last five years because without them none of this would be possible. I can’t wait to get back in the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 for a race, I had such a wonderful time driving it.

PCCF |

A five-star PCCF 2022 calendar!

Press release, November 16, 2021

For its upcoming 35th season, the Porsche Carrera Cup has kept the fundamental ingredient in its success, a calendar perfectly balanced between three essential French circuits and three benchmark international circuits, for an unchanged total of 12 races.

The organizers of the Porsche Carrera Cup strive each year to achieve a skillful mix of tradition and innovation, and the 2022 season will be no exception. Of the six events on the schedule, three will take place in France, at classic circuits like Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard, as well as at the lesser-known Paul Armagnac track in Nogaro.

The other three meetings in what is already looking like an excellent season will be hosted by some of the most beautiful European circuits there are, beginning with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium where the Porsche Carrera Cup France returns with great pleasure every time. New stops are also on the menu for participants in the Cup, with the appearance of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, on the calendar. Everyone is impatient to see the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992s take on the last banking-like turn in the car’s second season. The other circuit new to the PCCF that is sure to thrill fans and competitors is Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.

After the traditional pre-season testing sessions in early March at Magny-Cours, the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France will officially get underway with the popular Easter Cups at the circuit in Nogaro, France (16.04-18.04) as part of the FFSA French Circuits Championship. Then the action will continue in the Belgian Ardennes at the famously hilly Spa-Francorchamps circuit (05.05-07.05) also set to host competitors in the FIA World Endurance Championship. What an opportunity for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992 drivers to cross paths in the paddock with drivers racing Porsche 911 RSRs in GTE Pro and Am!

The PCCF will then return to France for two FFSA French Circuits Championship races at Magny-Cours (13.05-15.05), third stop on the calendar, before once again heading abroad. The following month, competitors will hit the track at Zandvoort (17.06-19.06), and after a summer break, Valencia (16.09-18.09), both in the GT World Challenge where the spotlight will also be on 911 GT3R. For the first time since 2019, the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet (14.10-16.10) will serve as the scene in mid-October of a thrilling finale while a certain autumnal mildness is still present in the region. There is no doubt, the stage has been set for yet another outstanding season in 2022!

PCCF |

Marvin Klein takes the title in thrilling climax!

Press release, October 25, 2021

Marvin Klein (CLRT) won the thirty-first edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, pipping Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) to the title in the final race of the year. Many questions remained unanswered as the competitors arrived in Portimao (Portugal) for the final meeting of the season. Not least who was going to succeed Jaxon Evans, the overall champion in 2020, with just five points between the leader Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) and Marvin Klein (CLRT) at the top of the standings? The tension ramped up a notch after the opening race of the weekend, which was won by Marvin Klein, ahead of his team-mate Florian Latorre (CLRT) and Dorian Boccolacci. For the first time this year, Klein moved top of the overall standings, just three points clear of Boccolacci, ahead of the final race of the season on Sunday.

The next day, Florian Latorre started once again on pole, whilst Klein and Boccolacci lined up in second and third positions on the grid. Once the race got underway, the title fight reached its climax: the two rivals clashed on the second corner, ending the races of both drivers at that point. Despite retiring at this early stage, Klein therefore won the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup at just 22 years old in his third season in the category, whilst Boccolacci had to settle for the Rookies’ title. Meanwhile, Florian Latorre went on to claim his first race win in 2021, finishing ahead of Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior, who has enjoyed a very successful debut season this year, and Cooper Murray (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), a 20 year-old Australian competing here to fine-tune his racing skills in preparation for the forthcoming Porsche Junior International Shootout. There was also a very close finish in the last race of the Pro-Am class, as Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) pipped Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) at the wire to claim his fourth consecutive title in the category. Last but not least, Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM) proved his stunning debut in Monza was no fluke, winning both races this weekend on his second appearance only in the Am class. However, Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) finished third and second in the two races to secure a well-deserved title in the category.

PCCF |

A climactic upcoming finale at Portimão!

Press release, October 19, 2021

The Portimão round, which will serve as the finale of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France season this weekend, promises endless excitement thanks in part to a battle at the top between Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) and Marvin Klein (CLRT).

The final race of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France will be held at the circuit in Portugal where the elevated turns are said to feel like a roller coaster. This last confrontation of the season will serve up a whirlwind of emotions for the 24 competing drivers, with plenty of triumphant joy and crushing disappointment as the gaps are quite close in the various classes.

The fight for overall victory in the Cup is no exception. Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) and Marvin Klein (CLRT) are neck and neck, with five wins each and only a five-point advantage for Boccolacci after Klein’s outstanding performance at the recent race in Barcelona. Since their respective teammates Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) and Florian Latorre (CLRT) could still mathematically snatch the titles, they may pull off an upset in their own teams. Other competitors looking to disrupt the Boccolacci–Klein duel are Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing), Evan Spenle (MRT by CLRT), Gianmarco Quaresmini (Ombra Racing) and Ugo Gazil (Pierre Martinet by Alméras).

The Pro-Am class remains just as undecided after Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) watched defending three-time champion Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) begin to slip the championship from him for the first time this season at the penultimate round in Barcelona. Now only six points separate the two drivers. Despite Boullery’s five wins since the beginning of the year, he earned zero points at Monza and Catalonia, and Misslin has shown greater consistency. Meanwhile, Christophe Lapierre is still seeking his first victory representing Pierre Martinet by Alméras, unlike Raymond Narac (IMSA Performance) who has already claimed the top step on the podium twice this season.

The Am class is more clearly dominated by Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) even though his lack of success at the Barcelona round, where Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT) secured a one-two, has narrowed his advantage. Not to be ruled out are Franck Leherpeur (CLRT), Benoît Frétin (YDEO Compétition) and Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM) who at Monza was the first to end Maurice’s impressive six-race winning streak.

The Portimão qualifying session is scheduled for Saturday 23 October (13:15-13:45) followed by the first race that evening (18:20-18:50) and the second on Sunday 24 October (11:45-12:15). All track action will be live streamed on the official Porsche Carrera Cup France Facebook page./p>

PCCF |

Time to head back to the track!

Press release, October 5, 2021

Following on the summer break, the drivers and their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) are on their way to Barcelona for a new important meeting as part of the GT World Challenge Europe. Only four races to go in the Porsche Carrera Cup France season, yet fans are left in complete suspense with Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras), current leader in the standings, and his closest rival Marvin Klein (CLRT).

At this upcoming round in Catalonia, the drivers will have to quickly get back into the swing of things with their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992). Indeed, competition is so tough in the Porsche Carrera Cup France that they will not have much time to find their feet and get into the right pace after this several weeks’ break. All the more since some of the drivers made the most of this pause and sharpened their skills in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. No doubt that they must have all been thinking about how best to optimise the countless little details that can make a huge difference.

Rookie Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) has made a great start in the competition, having already clinched no less than five wins this season. Yet the reinvigorated Marvin Klein (CLRT) has caught up with him, thanks to three consecutive wins between Spa-Francorchamps and Monza. The battle shall therefore resume at this penultimate meeting of the season! Yet several outsiders among the fifteen pro drivers are also determined to clinch their first success of the year, including Florian Latorre (CLRT), who has maintained consistency throughout so far, but also 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), who has been a surprise contender in this competition, and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing).

The second part of the season promises to be just as exciting in the Pro-Am category. Jérome Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) has made an outstanding start, with four wins already. Yet three-time winner and defending champion Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) managed to close the gap with him during the last meeting in Monza. Other drivers will surely interfere in this duel, including Christophe Lapierre (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and Raymond Narac (Imsa Performance), not forgetting and Philipp Sager (Dinamic Motorsport), who will also take to the track next week-end.

In the Am category, Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance) has clearly established himself as the leader, having won seven of eight races so far. He will certainly be keen to continue to build on this impressive series of success in Montmelo. However, Sébastien Dussolliet’s success (ABM) in Monza must have inspired Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT), Franck Leherpeur (CLRT), Benoit Fretin (YDEO Compétition), Cédric Mezard (Martinet by Alméras) and Sébastien Poisson, who will take over Dussolliet behind the wheel of ABM’s second Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992).

To make sure that you do not miss out on the show, which promises to once again be an amazing event, log on to the Porsche Carrera Cup France official Facebook page on Saturday, October 9th to follow the qualifying session between 12:25 and 12:55pm. The first race will then follow at the end of the day (6:10-6:40pm), while the second race will take place on Sunday, October 10th from 10:30 to 11:00am.

PCCF |

Tighter at the top in the Porsche Carrera Cup France following Monza round!

Press release, July 12, 2021

After Spa-Francorchamps, the Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers took on another iconic motorsport track at the Autodromo di Monza. No fewer than 23 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation) made the trip to Italy. Marvin Klein (CLRT) and Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) took the honours in the two races held as part of the ELMS meeting. Starting from Pole Position in race 1, Florian Latorre (CLRT) was unable to hold off Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) when the lights went out but the latter got then a five-second penalty for jumping the start. Florian Latorre (CLRT) went straight on the attack and managed to regain the lead. He then started to move clear of Marvin Klein (CLRT), Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) and Gianmarco Quaresmini (Ombra Racing). However, the race was thrown into uncertainty in the last ten minutes when the Safety Car came out! Marvin Klein (CLRT) caught his rivals off guard at the restart, grabbing the lead and going on to claim a third consecutive win this season, ahead of Florian Latorre (CLRT). Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) took the final podium spot whilst Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) had to settle for fourth after his penalty. Raymond Narac (IMSA Performance) finished first in the Pro-Am class. A newcomer to the Am category, Sébastien Dussolliet (ABM) made an impressive debut, winning his first race whilst finishing a fine eleventh overall!

Determined to put his disappointment in race one behind him, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) made no mistake from pole position in race 2 to lead into the opening Monza chicane. Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) went on to produce a dominant performance, leading from start to finish, to take his fifth win this season. Marvin Klein (CLRT) dislodged Florian Latorre (CLRT) from second place to take a big haul of points and reduce the gap to Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) in the Cup standings. Florian Latorre (CLRT) showed further consistency with another podium finish. Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) grabbed the honours in the Pro-Am class whilst Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) was first in the Am category.

PCCF |

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992 takes on the temple of speed !

Press release, 6 July 2021

After the Spa-Francorchamps round, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992 is now gearing up for the legendary Monza circuit in Italy. As in Belgium, Porsche Carrera Cup France competitors will look to unseat provisional classification leader Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras).

Ascari, the Parabolica…these corner names are music to the ears of motorsport enthusiasts like so many mythical places, steeped in history. Porsche Carrera Cup France competitors are impatient to let loose the 510 horses of their atmospheric flat-six in the transalpine temple of speed. Held in tandem with the European Le Mans Series, this fourth race of the year promises to be decisive on more than one front. It marks the onset of the second half of the season and will see the pursuit of provisional classification leader Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) resume with a vengeance.

Two-time winner Marvin Klein (CLRT) earned several points two weeks ago in Belgium. The 22-year-old Frenchman showed great resourcefulness in-race despite a lackluster qualifying attempt. Still, Klein is heading to Italy in high spirits, well aware he is on the radar of Florian Latorre (CLRT), 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing), all in the top 5 of the championship and all looking for their first triumph of the season. On its home turf, the Italian contingent of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, namely Gianmarco Quaresmini (Ombra Racing) and Enrico Fulgenzi (EF Racing), should not be underestimated. French driver Milan Petelet has joined MRT by CLRT for this and future races.

The battle is looking fierce in Pro-Am as well, with Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) clearly the one to beat. Hot on his heels are top notch contenders like three-time defending champion Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) and Christophe Lapierre (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), more and more at ease in his team.

In the Am class, after six consecutive wins, Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) will seek a seventh victory, but CLRT drivers Tugdual Rabreau and Franck Leherpeur will certainly want a say. Perhaps Cup newcomer Sébastien Dussoliet (ABM) will shake things up even more.

Qualifying for the Monza round is set for Saturday 10 July from 11:50-12:20, with the races scheduled on Saturday from 16:00-16:30 and Sunday 11 July from 9:45-10:15.

PCCF |

Klein, boss of Spa !

Press release, 20 June 2021

The third meeting of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France, the always eagerly awaited event at Spa-Francorchamps saw Marvin Klein (CLRT) achieve a real hat-trick of results in the field of Type 992 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. A result which allows him to get back into the title race.

At the time of the predictions, Marvin Klein (CLRT) was obviously part of the short list of drivers likely to come and upset the domination of Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) for this renewal on the Ardennes toboggan. Already in 2020, he won the first confrontation on this track. In addition to the usual contenders, this weekend also saw Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing), substitute for Richard Wagner, and Steven Palette (MRT by CLRT), guest. But it was Klein, who had previously finished third in Magny-Cours as his best result, who proved to be the strongest in Belgium, a sign that he and his CLRT team had made the most of the month-long break in the calendar to fine-tune their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992 and to exploit its undeniable potential even better. Marvin Klein took the two pole positions, both times ahead of Florian Latorre, his team mate at CLRT, and Dylan Pereira, whilst Dorian Boccolacci could only manage eighth.

Klein confirmed his excellent performance of the weekend in race 1 with a solo run and his first win of the season, also the first one for the team of Côme Ledogar. Behind him, Pereira got the better of Latorre on the first lap and the two men completed the podium in this order. On the doorstep of the podium, the very regular Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2021, Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), continued to impress. So much so that he took the laurels in the Rookies category, ahead of his team mate Dorian Boccolacci, who made a fine comeback thanks to his offensive driving. In the Pro-Am category, there was an upheaval right from the warm-up lap, with the elimination of Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), victim of a collision, and it was Raymond Narac (Imsa Performance) who used his experience on this demanding track to win the race ahead of Christophe Lapierre (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and Henry Hassid (MRT by CLRT). A Pro-Am podium in which Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance), the strong man of the Am, came in between, a sign of the very high level of competitiveness he has now reached.

Race 2 saw Marvin Klein give another perfect performance, to secure a second undisputed victory and put himself back in the title race. Florian Latorre also hoped to do the same, but was caught in a scuffle and had to climb back up to fifth place. Dorian Boccolacci, on the other hand, took advantage of this initial incident to make his way up from eighth on the grid to third place. There, he tried to put pressure on Dylan Pereira, but the latter did not hesitate, until a penalty for not respecting the track limits was applied to the Luxembourger, which offered second place to Dorian Boccolacci, and precious points in his quest for the final victory. Also worth noting is the solid performance of his team-mate Alessandro Ghiretti, who once again finished at the foot of the podium. In Pro-Am, Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) found the way back to success after a long battle with Christophe Lapierre and Nicolas Misslin, while Maxence Maurice continued his impressive series in Am, with a sixth consecutive success this season. Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT), his runner-up in the provisional championship standings, has not lost any ground and there is no doubt that he will try again to shake him from the next confrontation, from 9 to 11 July, in this temple of speed that is the Monza circuit.

PCCF |

Boccolacci confirmation!

Press release, 16 May 2021

Double winner last weekend in Magny-Cours, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) took second place in Race 1 at Paul Ricard, with Jaxon Evans (Martinet by Alméras) the first to score no points for the occasion, before winning Race 2 in the very strong field of the Porsche Carrera Cup France.

A former single-seater and GT car driver, Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) had the label of a serious customer attached to his forehead when he entered the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France this winter. And the 22 year old from the Côte d’Azur has had an ideal start to the season in the new 911 GT3 Cup type 992. On the Paul Ricard track, the scene of the second meeting of the Porsche Carrera Cup France season, he took pole position in each of the two races on the weekend’s programme. But at the start of the first race, which was run in light rain, he was beaten by Jaxon Evans (Martinet by Alméras), the outgoing champion who was present for the occasion in preparation for the opening of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season next weekend in Monaco.

The New Zealander was in the lead until the finish, despite the efforts of Dorian to catch up. Behind him, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) was particularly combative and completed the podium, after having fiercely resisted the attacks of Florian Latorre (CLRT). A sign that Jean-Baptiste will have to be counted on again this season: after his two sixth places in Magny-Cours, he clearly increased his pace this weekend. Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), the 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France, also confirmed his excellent start to the season with a fifth place. Another man in form at the moment, Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology) converted his pole position in Pro-Am into a success, his third in as many races contested, while Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance) did the same in Am.

Race 2 on Sunday saw Dorian Boccolacci take off perfectly and the battle for victory at the head of the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 field turned into a duel with Jaxon Evans. Despite the repeated attacks of the latter, Boccolacci did not give up, to offer himself a superb victory in front of Jaxon and a Florian Latorre (CLRT) who was again particularly regular at the front. For a long time he was fighting with his team-mate in the structure of Côme Ledogar for the third step of the podium, Marvin Klein (CLRT) finally reached the finish line in fourth place, in front of Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Alessandro Ghiretti, both of them once again well placed.

In Pro-Am, Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), the three-time defending champion, opened his victory counter, despite the constant pressure of Jérôme Boullery who finally made a mistake, but saved in extremis the second place of the category. Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT) was leading for a while, but the Am classification finally went to Maxence Maurice for the fourth time this year. After two consecutive meetings, the drivers of the Porsche Carrera Cup France now have a month to learn the lessons of these first four confrontations, in order to come back even sharper aboard their 911 GT3 Cup type 992 for the next one at Spa-Francorchamps (18-20.06), on the famous Ardennes toboggan.

PCCF |

Boccolacci scores a double!

Press relase, 10 May 2021

Nearly thirty drivers gathered at the Magny-Cours circuit for the start of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France. The first two races of the season in the Nièvre region saw Dorian Boccolacci dominate the proceedings on his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup France.

There was a sense of anticipation in the Porsche Carrera Cup France paddock on the eve of the first race of the season. After a first taste of the new 911 GT3 Cup type 992 during the pre-season tests organised last month, the drivers of Porsche Carrera Cup France got together for a battle of tenths which saw Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) take pole position twice ahead of Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing), who was invited to this opening round.

Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras), who was quicker on a timed lap, now had to master the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 over the course of a race. Boccolacci was the fastest driver in race 1 and took advantage of the 510 bhp of his Porsche to quickly break away, whilst Dylan Pereira saw Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras) and Marvin Klein (CLRT) overtake him at the Adelaide stop. Alone in the lead, Boccolacci took advantage of a clear track to extend his lead and set the fastest lap of the race. The Martinet by Alméras driver crossed the finish line as winner just ahead of Ghiretti, the 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France, also a rookie in the discipline. Marvin Klein, who started in sixth position, took the last step of the podium just ahead of Pereira and Florian Latorre (CLRT). Jérôme Boullery (YDEO by Racing Technology), who finished at the foot of the podium in the Pro-Am category last year, drove a solid race to finish just outside the Top 10, in addition to his victory in the Pro-Am category. Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) and Christophe Lapierre (Martinet by Alméras) completed the podium. Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) resisted the door-to-door duel with Franck Leherpeur (CLRT) to win the Am category. This first race ended under the safety car regime after Victor Blugeon (ABM) crashed out of his car, which was immobilised on the roof.

On Saturday, Dorian Boccolacci took pole position in Race 2 ahead of Dylan Pereira in his 911 GT3 Cup type 992. Although Boccolacci once again took the best start, Pereira was not surprised and stayed in contact with the leader for the whole thirty minutes of the race. Pereira was incisive and set the best lap times, despite the replies of Boccalocci, unperturbed at the head of the race. Despite the pressure of Pereira, more at ease than the day before at the wheel of his Porsche, Boccolacci offered himself a new victory on the Magny-Cours circuit. Alessandro Ghiretti was already on the podium in Race 1 and resisted the attacks of Florian Latorre until the last lap to take third place. Jérôme Boullery confirmed his ambitions in the Pro-Am category by taking a place among the Pro drivers, and Nicolas Misslin and Christophe Lapierre were on the podium in their category. Maxence Maurice scored big points with his new victory ahead of Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT) and Franck Leherpeur.

The Porsche Carrera Cup France is not taking a break at the beginning of the season. One week after the start in Magny-Cours, the drivers of the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 will be on the Paul Ricard circuit for a programme of two races on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May. At home, Dorian Boccolacci intends to keep the same pace as he did at Magny-Cours. Alessandro Ghiretti, Marvin Klein and Florian Latorre are not hiding their ambitions when they arrive in the Var, just like Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer who will be keen to get a place on the podium. In total, no less than thirty drivers will compete on the Paul Ricard circuit and all of them have serious arguments to put forward.

PCCF |

The 2021 season to kick off at the Magny-Cours circuit!

Press release, 30 April 2021

The wait is almost over and excitement is at a fever pitch! In just a few days, Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers, eager to do battle and leave the off-season behind them, will hit the track at the Magny-Cours F1 circuit. Who among the 29 entrants will make the most of the new, optimised 911 GT3 Cup type 992?

Will Florian Latorre (CLRT), Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) and Marvin Klein (CLRT) vie for the title in a repeat of last season? Or will new talents like 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) and Italian driver Enrico Fulgenzi (EF Racing) continue to impress as they did in the pre-season testing sessions?

Anything can happen in a one-make series championship that highlights the fun of driving and always gives fans nail-biting action. The 2021 season promises to do just that, with several relative newcomers, namely in the Pro class, like defending rookie champion Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and Luxembourg native Dylan Perreira (BWT Lechner Racing), second in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup last year.

The competition is sure to be as fierce in Pro-Am thanks to defending three-time champion Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), his top rival Christophe Lapierre (now with Pierre Martinet by Alméras), Jérôme Boullery (YDEO Compétition), defending Am champion François Lansard (MRT by CLRT) and veteran drivers such as Raymond Narac (IMSA Performance) and Henry Hassid (MRT by CLRT).

For Franck Leherpeur (CLRT), Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) and Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT), experience gained last season may make the difference in the Am class, but they will still have to contend with extremely talented newcomers.

The teams and drivers cannot wait to hit the track for the first 30-minute qualifying session of the year on Friday 7 May at 10:15. The first race is scheduled that evening (17:45-18:15) and the second race is set for Saturday 8 May (12:15-12:45). Every minute of the action will be live streamed on the Porsche Carrera Cup France Facebook page and the Porsche France YouTube channel.

PCCF |

The 911 GT3 Cup type 992 is already a success!

News release, April 09, 2021

The Porsche Carrera Cup France has returned to the track for its traditional pre-season tests and the drivers have discovered the qualities of the new 911 GT3 Cup type 992 with great enthusiasm.

The last two days on the Magny-Cours circuit were like the start of a new school year. The drivers and teams of the Porsche Carrera Cup France had a meeting for the pre-season tests and they were all eager to rack up the kilometres with their new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992. For two days, they took to the track to discover the car’s range of settings and came away enthusiastic about the driving experience and the increased performance.

The first real qualifying session of the season will undoubtedly deliver a more representative verdict of the forces at work, nevertheless a semblance of a hierarchy was outlined on this occasion. With the youth taking power! Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), the 2021 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France, topped the timesheets on Thursday’s test day, after having already been in the top five in the two Wednesday sessions. This confirms that the 19-year-old driver from Montauban will succeed Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) as the winner of the Porsche France detection operation.

Dorian Boccolacci (Martinet by Alméras) also took the opportunity to remind us that he will be a force to be reckoned with this season, both for the general classification and for supremacy in the Rookies’ field. Best time in the first session on Wednesday, he never left the podium. Another rider who was omnipresent at the front was the transalpine Enrico Fulgenzi (EF Racing) but Florian Latorre (CLRT), Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) or Marvin Klein (CLRT), and many others, will certainly not be outdone when the hostilities really begin.

In the Pro-Am category, Jérôme Boullery (Ydeo Compétition), who was twice faster, and François Lansard (MRT by CLRT), who ended the last session in the lead, confirmed their desire to shake up the existing hierarchy, but there is no doubt that Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) and Christophe Lapierre (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) will be on the lookout. In the Am category, Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance) has been the most regular at the top of the ranking, but the small gaps observed suggest that there will be some good battles in this category too. First elements of answer at the occasion of the launching of the season, on this same circuit of Magny-Cours from May 7 to 9, for a new year full of promises.

PCCF |

The success of the PCCF is undeniable!

News release, April 05, 2021

For the beginning of the 911 GT3 Cup type 992, this new edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup is a full house, with the presence of many faithful competitors, but also the arrival of several new stars, notably from Italy, and a total of twenty-six entries. The latter will meet at Magny-Cours on 7 and 8 April for two days of the Official Tests.

Florian Latorre (CLRT), Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) and Marvin Klein (CLRT) are the favourites. Long in the running for the final victory last season, before finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively in the final standings, the three men will undoubtedly be among the great leaders in the field of fifteen Pro drivers listed for this new edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup France. But Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), the outgoing Rookie champion, will also want to get into the fray, as will Victor Blugeon, now spearheading ABM, a new team from Annecy, Evan Spenle (MRT by CLRT) and Richard Wagner (BWT Lechner Racing).

It is up to them to make the most of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992 with its further refined qualities, the characteristically wide Turbo tracks and the famous naturally-aspirated flat-six now delivering no less than 510 horsepower. Thirty-one years after the first 911 Cup, which was based on the 964, the Porsche engineers have raised the bar even higher, increasing its performance, giving it a more aggressive look and improving its balance and reliability even further. A cocktail that should delight teams and drivers alike, and set the stage for some great new track battles.

A notable change compared to last year is that Marvin Klein has joined Côme Ledogar’s team, but he has been replaced by a major recruit at Martinet by Alméras, in the person of Dorian Boccolacci, who will lead a contingent of six Rookies, also with Ugo Gazil (Pierre Martinet by Alméras), Arthur Mathieu (Spark Motorsport), Thomas Fretin (Ydeo Compétition), Alessandro Ghiretti (Martinet by Alméras), the Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2021 and Milan Petelet (ABM), who was also a finalist in the last edition of the Porsche France detection operation. Dorian Boccolacci, who recently switched to GT after a long stint in single-seaters, will certainly be a customer for the 2021 edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, which has continued to improve over the years. The presence of Italian teams (Krypton Motorsport, Ombra Racing, EF Racing) this season is proof of this.

Gianmarco Quaresmini (Ombra Racing), winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italy in 2018 and returning to France after a first attempt in 2019, will undoubtedly be one to watch, as will his compatriot Enrico Fulgenzi (EF Racing), also a former winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italy (2013), whose tenacity has earned him the nickname ‘Dobermann’.

There will also be a great battle in the Pro-Am where Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), the three-time defending champion, will be challenging for his crown again, this time under the same colours. Facing him will be his toughest opponent, Christophe Lapierre, who has moved to Pierre Martinet by Alméras this year, but also Jérôme Boullery (Ydeo Competition), Luca Pastorelli (Krypton Motorsport), François Lansard (MRT by CLRT), the outgoing Am champion, and a returnee in the shape of Henry Hassid (MRT by CLRT). In the Am category, Franck Leherpeur (CLRT), Maxence Maurice (Imsa Performance) and Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT) will try to capitalise on the experience they gained last season and try to get the best of the newcomers Gabriele Marotta (EF Racing) and Benoit Fretin (Ydeo Competition). One thing is certain for all these drivers: they are all very impatient to be at Magny-Cours on 7 and 8 April in order to discover and push their new 911 GT3 Cup type 992 to its limits!

PCCF |

2021 Calendar

News release, November 09, 2020

An exceptional mix of remarkable French circuits and prestigious international destinations, the Porsche Carrera Cup France 2021 calendar features 12 races from the beginning of May to the end of October.

The year 2021 marks a new era in the Porsche Carrera Cup France, with the arrival of the new generation of Cup car: the 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992). To highlight the iconic Porsche competition car, this season promises to be one of the most exciting within one-make series. The calendar is designed to avoid date conflicts with the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, allowing drivers and teams loyal to the marque to compete on different terrains. After the traditional official pre-season test session, to be held this year at the Magny-Cours circuit (07.04-08.04), six rounds of two races each will follow, two in France – notably on a track used by F1 in recent years – and four at some of the most stunning European circuits.

The season will open early May at Magny-Cours (07.05 – 09.05) for the French FFSA Circuits Championship before heading to the legendary Paul Ricard circuit (14.05 – 16.05) for the Open GT. As in 2020, competitors will then head to Spa-Francorchamps (18.06 – 20.06) once again for the Open GT, a round that is always popular thanks to the history of the circuit and its extremely challenging hilly profile.

The Monza round (09.07 – 11.07), in tandem with the ELMS, is eagerly awaited since the “temple of speed” is widely considered the stuff of dreams for entire generations of drivers. The end of the season will finally see the Porsche Carrera Cup France make a stopover in Spain and then in Portugal, for two events integrated into the GT World Challenge Europe and ELMS, respectively. As Barcelona (08.10 – 10.10) now figures among the top circuits in one-make formulas dear to Porsche France, Portimão (22.10 – 24.10) makes its first appearance on the calendar and already promises an outstanding final race thanks to its numerous blind corners. With such a tempting programme, we look forward to new edge-of-your-seat action in the Porsche Carrera Cup France this season!

Porsche Carrera Cup France | 2021 Calendar
07.04 – 08.04 | Official Tests – Magny-Cours
07.05 – 09.05 | Magny-Cours (Races 1 & 2) – FFSA GT4
14.05 – 16.05 | Paul Ricard (Races 3 & 4) – Open GT
18.06 – 20.06 | Spa-Francorchamps (Races 5 & 6) – Open GT
09.07 – 11.07 | Monza (Races 7 & 8) – ELMS
08.10 – 10.10 | Barcelona (Races 9 & 10) – GT World Challenge Europe
22.10 – 24.10 | Portimão (Races 11 & 12) – ELMS

PCCF |

2021 Junior Programme

News release, November 02, 2020

Eighteen-year-old French hopeful Alessandro Ghiretti succeeds Victor Weyrich in the Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Programme after the latest stunning edition.

Victor Weyrich’s successor is now known. After solidifying his standing this season by winning the Rookie title of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, with sixth place overall in Barcelona as best result, the 2020 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France is preparing to hand the crown to Alessandro Ghiretti. Weyrich’s success confirms the positive impact of the Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Programme and there is no doubt that 2021 winner Giretti will follow in his footsteps and those of Jules Gounon, Florian Latorre, Hugo Chevalier and Adam Eteki.

Giretti distinguished himself during the pre-selection process among eight young talents, selected on the basis of their applications for two days of intensive tests at the Paul Ricard circuit in early November. The programme included driving the 911 GT3 Cup car, attending sporting events and participating in one-on-one interviews, all under the guidance of the Porsche Carrera Cup France team as well as Porsche Motorsport driver Patrick Pilet.

Ranging from 15 to 20 years of age and coming from diverse racing backgrounds including karting, F4 and GT4, the PCCF Junior Programme line-up of Hugo Conde, Lluc Ibanez, Mathys Jaubert, Romain Leroux, Paul-Adrien Pallot, Milan Petelet, Arthur Mathieu and Alessandro Ghiretti was a stellar one yet again.

Eighteen-year-old Ghiretti originally from Montauban, France stood out within this particularly strong group thanks to his maturity and ability to adapt. He has successfully climbed the ladder from karting to LMP3 and F4. Now he can set his sights on proving his ambition in the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France at the wheel of the new 911 GT3 Cup car. Ghiretti’s Junior Programme win has earned him a €40,000 cash prize (excluding VAT), a set of Michelin tyres and financial support from a Porsche Centre partner.

Patrick Pilet, official Porsche Motorsport driver
“Alessandro is very young, but he already shows a wonderful level of maturity! He continued to improve throughout the day and astonished us in particular by his capacity to adapt. He is sharp and shows great motivation, as well as a certain fighting spirit, and these are essential values to perform in Porsche Carrera Cup France.”

Alessandro Ghiretti, Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France 2021
“I just found out that I was selected, and it is all a bit crazy! I would like to sincerely thank the whole team because I learned a lot in two days of training with the mechanics and our coach Patrick Pilet. The atmosphere was really pleasant and focused. I was given excellent advice for on and off the track. I am extremely happy about this outcome and am now looking forward to getting on with next season. At my humble level, I am very honoured to represent the Porsche marque in 2021.”

PCCF |

Barcelona

News release, November 02, 2020

For its rookie championship season, Austrian team BWT Lechner Racing achieved an impressive level of success, including an overall win for Jaxon Evans, a Pro-Am win for Nicolas Misslin and the team title. This unpredictable final round in Barcelona also saw Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) score the Rookie trophy and François Lansard (CLRT) triumph in Am.

Trailing the provisional leader by 18 points at the finish in Barcelona, Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing) took the start in the race as the fifth of five contenders for victory. Florian Latorre (CLRT) and Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras) nabbed the first and second spots on the grid in qualifying, further impeding the New Zealander’s chances. Evans’ poor start in the opening race meant he dropped from third to eighth position in the space of one lap. It was then that the Junior Porsche driver launched into a frenzied comeback! Meanwhile, Marvin Klein (Martinet by Alméras) was forced to retire and Latorre incurred a drive-through penalty for cutting the first corner, putting victory well within Evans’ reach. He overtook Güven just 14 minutes from the checkered flag, earning his first win of the season. In the end, Latorre finished 11th and Güven fell to 19th place after a tyre puncture. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) claimed the second step on the podium ahead of Victor Blugeon (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) achieving his best result of the season. Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) and François Lansard (CLRT) won their respective categories: Pro-Am, Rookie and Am.

The 10th and final race of the season on Sunday’s programme promised to be a nail-biter and did not disappoint. Florian Latorre was pushed back three spots on the grid for having slowed excessively in Race 1, and also fell victim to a crash at the first corner, losing all possibility of winning. Unfortunately, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) met the same fate, with the latter losing his chance at the Pro-Am title for good. The 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France would therefore be decided between Jaxon Evans and Ayhancan Güven. At the finish, 24-year-old Evans won the French Cup, his second after winning the Australian version in 2018. The podium of this last race was rounded out by Marvin Klein ahead of Adam Eteki (CLRT) and Hugo Chevalier (CLRT) earning his second consecutive top 5 finish. Victor Weyrich and Nicolas Misslin confirmed their respective titles in Rookie and Pro-Am with confidence, the latter snatching his third category win in three years with as many teams. The top step on the Am podium was claimed by Emil Caumes (CLRT), but his teammate François Lansard took the championship crown. Once again, this extremely competitive final round and the entire season solidified an undeniably high caliber of competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup France.

PCCF |

Spa-Francorchamps

News release, October 19, 2020

Like last year, the drivers of Team Martinet by Alméras dominated in the Belgian Ardennes at the penultimate round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France.

With its quick and hilly profile, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit requires true finesse, proven yet again in the fourth round of the 2020 PCCF season. Last year’s winners, Martinet by Alméras teammates Marvin Klein and Ayhancan Güven, have triumphed a second time in a row.

Klein took the pole in Race 1. After the safety car was deployed following an error at the top of the Raidillon by Rookie category leader Evan Spenle (Sebastien Loeb Racing), Klein took the opportunity to overtake at the restart. He held the top spot through the checkered flag for his first win of the season. Güven missed a braking maneuver and returned to the track dangerously, resulting in a five-second penalty and losing him a podium finish. The podium was rounded out by Florian Latorre (CLRT) and Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing), after the French driver managed to overtake his New Zealander rival.

In Race 1 in Pro-Am, Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), despite proving fastest in qualifying, failed to hold off a determined Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology), and Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing), third in the class, limited the damage to his championship ranking alone. The Am category was won by Emil Caumes (CLRT) closely followed by Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) and François Lansard (CLRT), the latter having at one time pointed in the lead, but ended in third place after incurring a five-second penalty.

Race 2 culminated in a second win at Spa this year for Ayhancan Güven after his victory in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Florian Latorre took the second spot in the wake of yet another duel with Jaxon Evans. Having started in fourth position on the grid, Race 1 winner Marvin Klein lost three places during the start, forcing him to execute several overtakings during the race. In the last laps, he faced off against Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) and finished in fourth place ahead of Adam Eteki (CLRT) and Evan Spenle, rectifying his mistake of the day before by securing his first win of the season in the Rookie category.

The suspense in Race 2 Pro-Am was breathtaking thanks to a new three-way battle between Christophe Lapierre, Nicolas Misslin and Sylvain Noël. Eventually, the first two incurred a five-second penalty each for failure to respect track limits, giving Noël his second win of the weekend. In the Am category, pole-sitter François Lansard once again claimed the top step on the podium, for his fourth victory of the season, ahead of Steve Brooks (CLRT). Maxence Maurice, initially third at the finish line, was downgraded due to technical non-compliance.

PCCF |

Paul Ricard

News release, October 05, 2020

Held at the circuit in Le Castellet, within the framework of the French Championship of Circuits, this third round included three extremely animated races and crowned as many winners. Now that the mid-season milestone has passed, the fight for the title is in full swing…

A weekend of domination could have allowed one of the favorites of the Porsche Carrera Cup France to take the lead in the title race. With three races on the programme at Paul Ricard, the third was very important for the attribution of considerable points. However, the circuit lived up to its reputation, giving rise to some superb passe d’armes, and consecrating three different winners, including two new ones. If Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) had taken the lead in the provisional overall classification, he would have been only one point behind Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras), the two-time defending champion, whereas the top five are still within fourteen points, with four races to go. The rest of the season promises to be thrilling!

Adam Eteki (CLRT) won Race 1 of the weekend, earning his first victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. The 2019 Junior PCCF had already confirmed he was capable of impressive showings thanks to the 24 Hours of Le Mans pre-race. Qualified in third position on the starting grid, Eteki executed a stunning start to the benefit of teammate and pole-sitter Florian Latorre (CLRT), dispensing of Marvin Klein (Martinet by Alméras) in the second lap. The 18-year-old went on to claim the top step on the podium ahead of Klein and Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing), with Ayhancan Güven and Florian Latorre completing the top 5. After damaging his car, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer failed to climb higher than sixth place. In Pro-Am, Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) and Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) faced off once again in the final seconds, and François Lansard (CLRT) translated pole position to a win in the Am category.

After a perfect start in Race 1, Florian Latorre transformed his fifth pole position of the season into an overall win in Race 2, giving the young team CLRT its second triumph of the weekend. New Zealander Jaxon Evans at the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup was no match for Latorre. Meanwhile, the battle also raged between Ayhancan Güven, Marvin Klein, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Adam Eteki for second place. Penalized by one second after the finish for having taken advantage in the chicane, Güven ceded the last step on the podium to Klein and fourth place to Simmenauer. Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) scored a decisive win in the Rookie category despite strong opposition by newcomer Ugo Gazil (Pierre Martinet by Alméras). Nicolas Misslin’s impressive speed rewarded him with a first victory in Pro-Am, and François Lansard, in top form this weekend, triumphed in Am.

Race 3 saw Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer’s first win in the Porsche Carrera Cup France despite numerous podium finishes. Having started from pole position thanks to his best lap in Race 2, the 19-year-old French driver’s performance proved he is a contender for the championship title. Ayhancan Güven held second place for some time, but eventually succumbed to pressure from Florian Latorre. In the end, however, Jaxon Evans gave his team, a newcomer in this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup France, a stunning double victory along with the second Pro-Am win for BWT Lechner Racing teammate Nicolas Misslin. Emil Caumes (CLRT) managed to terminate the series of three consecutive wins for François Lansard in the Am category.

The 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France will now head to Belgium for two races at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit on 16-18 October.

PCCF |

Paul Ricard

News release, October 05, 2020

After the Le Mans round, the upcoming three races at the Paul Ricard circuit, part of the French Circuits Championship, are certain to be yet another highlight of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season.

This third round on the PCCF calendar, after Magny-Cours and Le Mans, is crucial in determining who will secure a title in the championship. The mid-season mark will have been reached after these three Paul Ricard races. Drivers and teams are well aware of the importance of a good performance with the 911 GT3 Cup car on this track, namely at the Courbe de Signes and Double Droite du Beausset. These are only two of the turns that make the Le Castellet circuit one of the most beautiful and challenging in France.

In the wake of his second win of the season, Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras) is well on his way to a third consecutive championship title, though Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) is currently leading by seven points. The 19-year-old Frenchman has made remarkable progress since his first Porsche Carrera Cup France in 2018, with fourth place as best result that year. This season, Simmenauer has reached the podium at every round and is looking forward to his first overall win. To achieve that goal, he will need to triumph over drivers like Florian Latorre (CLRT), who had a difficult race at Le Mans despite scoring the pole, Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing), pushed off-track at Le Mans, and Marvin Klein (Martinet by Alméras) who has also suffered his share of setbacks this year (flat tyre at Magny-Cours, penalty at Le Mans). Adam Eteki (CLRT), the 2019 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner, will be keen to capitalize on his recent performance at the Le Mans round.

Twenty-three drivers will hit the track at the Paul Ricard circuit, including Clément Mateu (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) in Pro-Am. Two-time defending champion Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) is still chasing his first win of the season in this category with a three-way battle against Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) and Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology) clearly on the horizon. Eclectic driver Steve Brooks (CLRT) will finally participate in Am, currently led by Emil Caumes (CLRT), though Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) proved particularly adept at navigating very difficult weather conditions at the Le Mans round.

See you this Saturday, October 3 at 10:40 for the 30-minute qualifying session. The races are scheduled for Saturday (15:55-16:25) and Sunday (10:15-10:45 and 15:25-15:55), and every competitor is ready to unleash his 485 horses on the Mistral straight!

PCCF |

2020 Le Mans

News release, September 19, 2020

The scene of the second round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season, the run-up race to 24 Hours of Le Mans, lived up to its reputation with plenty of action and excitement!

Despite being delayed from June to September due to the pandemic, the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans lost none of its unpredictability! After yesterday’s practice session, which saw Florian Latorre (CLRT) take the pole as he did in 2017, the 52 competitors hit a wet track for the only race of this second round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France, which also counted for the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany.

The weather caused grip and visibility conditions and put drivers to the test as they took on the most famous race of the season! Seventeen-year-old Loek Hartog (Bas Koeten Racing), from the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, had the best start along with recent Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup winner Larry ten Voorde (Nebulus Racing by Huber). Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras), fourth on the starting grid, nabbed the lead from Florian Latorre in the third lap.

Whereas the battle for victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup Le Mans was limited to a three-way fight between Hartog, ten Voorde and Leon Köhler (T3/HRT Motorsport), the battle for supremacy in the Porsche Carrera Cup France saw Latorre lose ground little by little. On the other hand, Güven held his position expertly, even fighting for an overall podium despite the efforts of Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing) before the latter was spurned by an opponent. Marvin Klein, Güven’s Martinet by Alméras teammate who started from 10th position, also threatened, even taking the lead in the Mulsanne Straight in the last lap. In the end, Güven scored his second win of the season after Magny-Cours, improving his chances in the championship.

After the checkered flag, Klein received a five-second penalty for a crash earlier in the race, giving remarkable Adam Eteki (CLRT) in fifth a second place finish in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. The 2019 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France, held at one of the most demanding circuits in the world, saw Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing) accompany him on the podium, after a very successful weekend (ninth in qualifying). A result that allowed the 19-year-old Frenchman to become the runner-up to Güven in the provisional national classification. Klein and American driver Jaden Conwright (Dinamic Motorsport) trailed in fourth and fifth places, respectively. Twelfth under the checkered flag, Latorre was forced to settle for sixth place ahead of Richard Wagner (BWT Lechner Racing) and 2020 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner Victor Weyrich (Pierre Martinet by Alméras) adding a respectable 16th place finish to his Rookie category win against Evan Spenle (Sébastien Loeb Racing).

In Pro-Am, Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology), who made an impressive comeback last week in Magny-Cours, could do no wrong on a track that had already seen him take the overall win in 2010. Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing), his runner-up on the starting grid, was forced to return to pit lane after a tyre puncture so the category podium was rounded out by Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) and Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology). In Am, pole-sitter François Lansard (CLRT) triumphed ahead of Franck Leherpeur (Racing Technology) and Tugdual Rabreau (CLRT). Special mention goes to Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) who had an excellent showing before getting hit by another driver.

After this undeniable highlight of the season, the drivers now have a few days to recover before competing at the three races of the third round at Paul Ricard (2-4 October) within the framework of the French Circuits Championship.

Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras), Winner Porsche Carrera Cup France: “It is always a special feeling to race on this 24 Hours track, in the run-up to such an event. It was my second participation in Le Mans after 2017, the first time I drove here in the rain and I really enjoyed racing in these conditions. I am all the happier because the result allows me to take the lead in the championship before the triple meeting at Paul Ricard where we will pass the mid-season mark.”

PCCF |

Magny-Cours

News release, September 14, 2020

Güven and Latorre share in the spoils.

Top contenders Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras) and Florian Latorre (CLRT) both triumph at the first round of the 2020 season.

The first round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France at Magny-Cours recalled 2019 when Florian Latorre (CLRT) dominated so effectively. He took both two pole positions, ahead of 2019 Rookie runner-up Marvin Klein (Martinet by Alméras) and two-time defending champion Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras). Latorre proved he is still a major contender in this 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season.

The 23-year-old Frenchman had left everyone in the dust in Race 1 until he incurred a 15-second penalty for a false start and fell to fifth position. The top step on the podium went to Ayhancan Güven ahead of New Zealander Jaxon Evans (BWT Lechner Racing) and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (BWT Lechner Racing). Marvin Klein was on his way to securing second place in this opening round, but a puncture to his left rear tyre one minute from the checkered flag relegated him to sixth place.

In Pro-Am, though Nicolas Misslin (BWT Lechner Racing) was seeking a third consecutive win with a third different team and had managed to score the pole, in the end Sylvain Noël (Racing Technology) made a remarkable comeback and claimed the top step on the podium ahead of Christophe Lapierre (Sébastien Loeb Racing) and Jérôme Boullery (Racing Technology). Emil Caumes (CLRT), the most experienced Am driver at the start, triumphed over Maxence Maurice (IMSA Performance) and François Lansard (CLRT).

In Race 2, Latorre showed off his skills once more on this track, leading the race from start to finish, and giving CLRT its first win in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. The team was recently created by Côme Ledogar, himself a previous winner of the Cup (2014). Latorre finished ahead of Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer, who at times dominated this weekend, and Marvin Klein, who was rewarded for his consistent presence at the head of the field. Jaxon Evans and Ayhancan Güven rounded out the top 5.

In Pro-Am, Sylvain Noël held the lead early in the race, but a small mistake opened the door for Nicolas Misslin. However, the latter eventually lost the win to Christophe Lapierre in the last minutes. Victory in the Am category went to Maxence Maurice ahead of Emil Caumes and Franck Leherpeur (Racing Technology).

The first races of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France did not disappoint, and now competitors are looking forward to the second round of the year in preamble to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only one 45-minute race is on the programme (Saturday, 19 September at 09:15), but the drivers consider it the highlight of the season. At nearly 14 kilometers in length, this circuit is where Porsche has written some of its most beautiful motorsport chapters. There is no doubt the competitors are impatient to make the 911 GT3 Cup car’s 485 horses roar on the Mulsanne Straight and put its chassis to the test in the Porsche corners.

The race will boast 54 PCCF entrants including 29 Pro, 14 Pro-Am and 11 Am, plus competitors from the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and Benelux. The field is so prestigious that it includes the top 9 from the 2020 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, with in order Larry ten Voorde, Dylan Pereira, Ayhancan Güven, Jaxon Evans, Florian Latorre, Max van Splunteren, Marvin Klein, Leon Köhler, and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer. And let us not forget the participation of famous actor Michael Fassbender!

Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras), Race 1 winner
“We had a difficult qualifying session, but the race went very well after that. I moved up from third to second place, my rhythm was good but not enough to challenge for first place. At that moment, I was informed the lead car had been penalized, so I made sure to manage my car and my tyres until the finish to win. It’s always nice to start the season with a victory, these are big points for the championship.”

Florian Latorre (CLRT), Race 2 winner
“It was a rather successful weekend for us, where we showed a solid level of performance and I am happy that it has ended in victory. We deserve it because we did a nearly flawless race and it really bodes well for the future. Let’s not forget that this is CLRT’s very first win in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. It’s really great to start with six cars and to show such a level of competitiveness. Few teams can boast such a result. Now I will do everything I can to win at Le Mans and take my revenge on 2017.”

M. Meurer |

Motorsport is in our DNA

Interview, June 17, 2020

Passionate about cars and motorsport, Marc Meurer has had the privilege of managing Porsche France for the last two years. After working at Renault, Meurer joined the Volkswagen Group in 2010 as director of marketing before heading up Audi France five years later. A few weeks ahead of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season, the President of Porsche France discussed the importance of the Cup with “Endurance-Info.”

The 2020 season will start at Magny-Cours for one of the most extraordinary rounds France has seen in recent years. Thoughts?

We are delighted and impatient to see our teams and drivers back on the track. The competition will gear up again while respecting current protocols of course. The Magny-Cours round will be a superb event with eight disciplines participating, including the Porsche Carrera Cup France. A magnificent weekend is shaping up at a circuit highly appreciated by our drivers, and we are happy to start with SRO with whom we have been working for four years.

Does this year’s condensed programme change Porsche France’s approach to preparation?

Motorsport has always been in our DNA, so we have put all our energy into performing very well in the 2020 season. We have been in regular contact with our teams and partners to make the best decisions and work together to ensure the success of this unprecedented year. Our ambition was to maintain a qualitative calendar: with five rounds (10 races) at the circuits scheduled before the pandemic, and we succeeded. Like most disciplines, we are forced into a very condensed schedule, so the championship will take place over the course of two months. We are going to organise the first three rounds, including the opening race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, within a month and a half. It will not be easy for all of us – teams, drivers and the organisation – but we are optimistic and very motivated.

Will the field be similar to what was announced before the pandemic?

We had announced an excellent grid before the arrival of the virus (32 cars for the Barcelona round and 28 season entries), but unfortunately we have received some withdrawals. Indeed, certain teams who were planning to compete in the PCCF and another Porsche championship will not be able to do both due to the calendar and budgetary constraints. On the other hand, there is also a positive side, as we are receiving new requests for commitments. The teams are doing an extraordinary job in an effort to participate despite the economic situation and busy schedules. This 2020 season will be a great one for the Porsche Carrera Cup France.

Do the competitors consider it good news the Le Mans round before the 24 Hours is still on?

It is important for us to offer our customers an exceptional race every year. The opening race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is to be the highlight of our season and we are delighted to confirm it is still happening. This race is significant for drivers, partners and teams, especially as 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s first overall victory at the legendary race. We are keen to celebrate with our competitors and demonstrate our know-how in auto racing.

Is one of your goals to attract more and more foreign teams to Cup France?

We focus on how to attract new teams and drivers to the PCCF, whether French or foreign. This goal was at the forefront for our teams during the 2019 season and is essential. In France, we are confronted with two problems: the first is the multitude of disciplines similar to each other – including budget, race format, calendar – which is challenging. The second problem is that the economic landscape of motorsport in France is more complex than in other countries. We have designed a calendar that enables us to attract French and foreign teams by visiting coveted circuits both here and internationally, while taking into account the calendar of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Côme Ledogar, previous Porsche Carrera Cup France champion, is setting up his own team. Do you consider this an indication of the value of the discipline?

Welcoming a newcomer is always satisfying, especially when you are the main program. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that Côme has a special affinity for the Porsche Carrera Cup France. He will demonstrate that by serving as a team manager for his first season in 2020. With his undisputed experience in the Cup and other disciplines, Côme has the reputation and knowledge to be a team manager. He’s a very good ambassador for the championship and strongly believes in Porsche. He will also continue to drive in other championships. We wish him all the best in his dual roles as a driver and team manager. We also welcome two other new teams, IMSA Performance making a comeback and BWT Lechner Racing. We are delighted to have them with us.

Will the new Cup car arrive as planned in 2021? Are you considering a transition season with the current and new model?

The new generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) continues its development with the 2021 season in mind. You will have all of the information in autumn 2020.

PCCF |

New 2020 Calendar

News release , June 4th 2020

In compliance with the motorsport recovery plan presented by the FFSA, as well as governmental directives, the Porsche Carrera Cup France reveals its new calendar of five rounds (10 races), including the opening race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (17-19 September).

With an eye on the evolution of the global health crisis, the Porsche Carrera Cup France is now able to announce a calendar focused on contributing to the economic revival needed by motorsport participants. The organisation has succeeded in designing a programme that guarantees to excite racing fans, with five rounds for a total of 10 races scheduled between mid-September and early November. The calendar promises an ideal balance between top French circuits and prestigious international destinations.

The Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers will launch the season with two races at Magny-Cours (11-13 September) as part of the FFSA French Circuits Championship. The following round, the run-up to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans (September 17-19), is sure to be a highlight of the year as always. Then competitors will return to the FFSA French Circuits Championship at the Paul Ricard circuit (2-4 October) for three races and plenty of breathtaking confrontations!

The end of the season will see the 911 GT3 Cup cars cross the border of France, with a first stopover in Belgium at the mythical Spa-Francorchamps track (16-18 October) for two races integrated into the International GT Open. The Barcelona circuit (October 30-November 1), which should have hosted the opening round, will serve as the site of the final races of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season.

Revised Porsche Carrera Cup France 2020 Calendar
11.09 – 13.09 | GT4 Series – Magny-Cours (Races 1 & 2)
17.09 – 19.09 | 24 Hours of Le Mans – Le Mans (Race 3)
02.10 – 04.10 | GT4 Series – Paul Ricard (Races 4 & 5 & 6)
16.10 – 18.10 | International GT Open – Spa-Francorchamps (Races 7 & 8)
30.10 – 01.11 | International GT Open – Barcelona (Races 9 & 10)

e-SUPERCUP |

Monza

News release, May 18, 2020

From start to finish, the virtual 2020 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season was thrilling! By winning the last two races at the Monza circuit, Larry ten Voorde has won the championship title against his toughest opponent, Ayhancan Güven. In the Pro-Am category, Clement Mateu claimed the second step on the podium. Team GP-Elite won the Teams trophy ahead of Martinet by Alméras and BWT Lechner Racing.

PCCF |

L. Gautier takes stock

Interview, April 23, 2020

The 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France is shaping up to be the toughest of the last few seasons. Like so many others, the PCCF is waiting for the green light to kick off. Laurie Gautier, head of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, gave this interview to “Endurance-Info.”

Will the format of the Cup races remain the same this 2020 season?

“The format of the races is unchanged this year, but the new feature will be the format of qualifying. We’re going from two 20-minute sessions to one 30-minute session. The best time will define the grid position for Race 1 and the second best time will define the starting position for Race 2.

The aim is twofold, first to improve the performance of the drivers and relieve tyre wear, second to lighten teams’ workload which can be demanding on schedules. Our rounds will therefore consist of two 40-minute free practice sessions, one 30-minute qualifying session and two 30-minute races. The exception will be for the opening race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans which will be a 45-minute race!”

Spa and Barcelona are scheduled for two days. Is track time planned for Thursday or Friday?

“For Spa, we should be able to keep the same format as planned, meaning track time on Thursday, Friday, Saturday. As for Barcelona, we are waiting on information from the organiser.”

How will the 2020 calendar be affected by other championships in relation to the pandemic?

“Given this unprecedented crisis and the multiple date changes, we are trying to maintain these dates relative to the various other championships like the WEC, ELMS, FFSA GT and DTM. In addition to the multiple changes, there is also the fact the Porsche Carrera Cup France cannot clash with the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup because several teams are doing both. As a result, we are waiting for the F1 calendar, particularly the European Grand Prix, to finalise our calendar. Our objective is to maintain a qualitative season for our customers. We are aware that we will have to adapt the championship to ensure their financial security and in consideration of 2021.“

Will the new Cup car still arrive in 2021?

“Porsche Motorsport engineers are working on the 992 GT3 Cup car and Porsche Motorsport will announce its calendar in the coming months.”

France is fortunate to have several French drivers serving as official Porsche drivers. The Cup France is a real talent-spotter. Why do you think that is?

“For the past few years, the Porsche Carrera Cup France has been at a very high level, one of the highest levels of Porsche Carrera Cup in general, for both young professionals and gentlemen drivers. One of the strong points of the championship is the calendar. We have the opportunity to race at the top F1-type European circuits. This is a considerable advantage for our young drivers and a pleasure for our gentlemen. We have some truly beautiful circuits in France, certainly, but we also must listen to our customers. This is why we are committed to a balanced calendar between France and Europe.

This leads to the second strong point, as I said earlier, we are not in conflict with the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup because the objective is to allow young talents to take part in the Supercup and to reach the highest levels of the Porsche industry concerning one-make series. Mathieu Jaminet, Julien Andlauer and Ayhancan Güven have all followed the same itinerary.

In other words, a first year of apprenticeship in Cup France, a second year with the double program to compete against the strongest competition, but with the advantage of knowing the PMSC circuits.

That’s without counting on talent scouts, we are lucky to have Patrick Pilet with us. He plays an essential role in discovering talented individuals for the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme. He accompanies and coaches all the young pros throughout the season. And team managers closely follow the young drivers from their beginnings to recognise their potential, help them evolve in the Carrera Cup and hopefully move on to the rank of official driver.“

e-SUPERCUP |

Silverstone

News release, April 20, 2020

The second virtual round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup was marked by spectacular duels between Ayhancan Güven and Larry ten Voorde!

Starting from pole position, Güven won the first 25-minute race at Silverstone. In the Pro-Am category, Clément Mateu finished second. In Race 2, while in the lead, Güven was forced to overtake a stalled opponent in the final lap. This gave ten Voorde a golden opportunity to seize first position and win the second race of the round. Marvin Klein finished third in the Rookie category. Also noteworthy, official driver and godfather of the PCCF Patrick Pilet finished 13th in Race 1 and 10th in Race 2 for his first stint in e-racing. Güven and ten Voorde share the top spot in the overall standings with 90 points each.

Rendez-vous on 25 April 2020 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the third virtual round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

PCCF |

Le Mans postponed

News release, March, 19, 2020

Due to the global health crisis, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has decided to delay the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans from June to 19-20 September. The race prior to the main event is the third round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France. The PCCF team is actively working on a new calendar and will keep you informed. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

PCCF |

Spa-Francorchamps postponed

News Release, March 16, 2020

We regret to inform you the round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France scheduled at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on 23-25 April has been postponed to a later as-yet undetermined date. The decision was made in an effort to comply with COVID-19 directives, which also led us to cancel the Barcelona races last weekend. We thank you in advance for your understanding and will not fail to keep you informed of the dates on which these rounds will eventually be held. Until then, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

PCCF |

An exceptional 2020 field

News release, March 11, 2020

With 30 entrants, the presence of top-notch teams and the arrival of international headliners, the 2020 PCCF season promises battles in every category.

Two-time PCCF champion Ayhancan Güven (Martinet by Alméras) is looking to secure a third consecutive championship title. To make his goal a reality, a feat not achieved since Dominique Dupuy (between 1997 and 1999), the Turkish driver will have to overcome tough competition, led in particular by teammate Hugo Chevalier, who finished third last year.

But the opposition will also come from foreign teams (BWT Lechner Racing, Dinamic Motorsport, Fach Auto, Tsunami RT and Ombra Racing) and famous drivers out in full force, including 23-year-old New Zealander and Junior Porsche driver Jaxon Evans, 20-year-old Australian Jordan Love who succeeded him as winner of the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup in 2019 and Gianmarco Quaresmini, winner of the 2018 Porsche Carrera Cup Italy.

However, several young Frenchmen are determined to prove the potential demonstrated at the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup, including 2019 Rookie runner-up Marvin Klein, Victor Blugeon and 2019 Junior PCCF winner Adam Eteki. The latter will spearhead the CLRT team, newly created by Côme Ledogar, himself a previous Cup winner (2014). The young outfit is determined to take on top contender IMSA Performance returning this year, Racing Technology and Sébastien Loeb Racing with Evan Spenle, a newcomer to the team from single-seaters, and Ugo Gazil and Victor Weyrich, the 2020 Espoir Porsche Carrera Cup France winner.

Sébastien Loeb Racing will also see Christophe Lapierre attempt to win a sixth Pro-Am crown against his toughest opponent, two-time category winner Nicolas Misslin. Stéphane Denoual, Philipp Sager, Clément Mateu and Sylvain Noël, back in the championship, are all looking to shake up the action, as is 2019 Am champion Jérôme Boullery. Created last year, this category has welcomed an increasing number of entrants, among them newcomers Tugdual Rabreau, Maxence Maurice and Mathieu Blaise.

The 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup France season will kick off in Barcelona on 2-5 April in the framework of the ELMS!