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.