“Bitter, very bitter.” With these words Alex Fach tried to pool the emotions after the final races of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Austin. The title bout of FACH AUTO TECH was ruined by a plug. While Matteo Cairoli had a technical defect teammate Philipp Frommenwiler was cleared by a competitor.
Matteo Cairoli (I), #7: First, everything looked well for the Porsche team from Sattel in central Switzerland. Matteo Cairoli had a psychological advantage developing a first place in the training: “I am surprised about my position, because those were my first laps here under dry conditions.” Also in the qualifying he set the fastest time at first, but later he had an unpleasant stunner on the orange curbs in the last corner. On the way to set a new fastest time, the rear of the white Porsche swung off and it touched the barriers. Suspensions, front, cooler and steering geometry had been affected. No chance of the pole position.
Nevertheless, the fast Italian remained a place in the front row for both races this weekend. And the team around Alex Fach had the challenging task, to repair # 7 within two hours. “I am totally annoyed at myself,” said the Porsche-Junior, who, in spite of the impact had the better initial situation compared to Sven Müller, the championship rival.
With a dazzling good start on Saturday afternoon Matteo Cairoli thanked his crew for the swift work and catapulted his car past poleman Mathieu Jaminet already on the first meters of the penultimate championship round. He took the lead, while the pursuers were dueling each other. Half time of the race the youngster obtained the fastest laps, to set a gap of 2.5 seconds. But then his fate was sealed: the team at the pit wall was stunned as their protégé moved the track at slow speed.
“I am hugely disappointed. Losing in this form really hurts. In any case, thanks to everyone for the support! (At least that’s a good thing),” expressed the 20-year-old who had to park his bolide at the box. He only had a mathematical chance to rule out Sven Müller.
Only a victory combined with a loss of the competitor would have given him the title. Yet Matteo Cairoli did not give up in the second race. About fourteen laps again he convinced that he was actually defeated by a malfunction. On old tires – he had ruined his good ones in the qualifying-crash – he fought for victory which he missed by a hair’s breadth.
Team boss Alex Fach highlighted the sentiments: “It could hardly be worse, it is very painful to have to loose the championship by a defective contact in the control for the electrical master switch.”
Philipp Frommenwiler (CH), #6: With the aim to complete the season by a good result, Philipp Frommenwiler had travelled to Austin. The Swiss on the second FACH Porsche underlined these ambitions on Friday with a seventh place overall in free practice. “We had a good start to the weekend, the car was great to drive!” he said on Facebook. In qualifying, the interruption triggered by the impact of his teammate prevented further improvement. Nevertheless the Kreuzlinger could be quite satisfied with two ninth start ranks.
The FACH-pilot kept his initial position in the starting phase of the first race. He was involved in some fights, but maintained his position in the pack of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars safe against any attack. Only ten seconds behind the winner Philipp Frommenwiler crossed the finish line as 8th.
However, in the final championship round in 2016 the 26 year old was not so lucky. Turned round by Zaid Ahkanani and backdropped, he had to start a recovery. Each position improvement was hard fought. The checkered flag he saw as finally thirteenth.
With a total of 67 points, the Swiss has firmly established himself in the top 10 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on an eighth place overall. He resumed the season: “Today’s race was emblematicly of the whole season: we always fight back, have the car well prepared, but luck is just not on our side […] At this point I can only thank everyone who has supported me this season. especially my team FACH AUTO TECH, which always provides a great car. Thanks to my loyal sponsors and patrons, my family, friends and all fans! By acquiring a second place in the team Championship and eighth in the driver’s standings we can be very happy! See you in 2017!”
Epilogue: In the hours after the final, the team achieved a number of emails and also in the social networks, the sympathy was hugely. Overwhelmed by the comforting words Alex Fach suspects: “I think we are the champions of the hearts. Thanks to all who have supported us and kept the fingers crossed throughout the year.”
(petra weddige, motorsport-concepts.de; Fotos: Porsche)
PRACTICE
1. Matteo Cairoli 2:10,658
2. Sven Müller +0,110
3. Jeffrey Schmidt +0,128
…
7. Philipp Frommenwiler +0,711
QUALIFYING 1
1. Mathieu Jaminet +2:09,014
2. Matteo Cairoli + 0,419
3. Michael Ammermüller +0,556
…
9. Philipp Frommenwiler +1,644
RACE 1
1. Mathieu Jaminet 14
2. Sven Müller +0,734
3. Robert Lukas +1,514
…
8 Philipp Frommenwiler +10,761
DNF Matteo Cairoli
QUALIFYING 2
1. Mathieu Jaminet +2:09,476
2. Matteo Cairoli + 0,152
3. Robert Lukas +0,504
…
9. Philipp Frommenwiler +1,305
RACE 2
1. Mathieu Jaminet 14
2. Matteo Cairoli +0,897
3. Jeffrey Schmidt +3,047
…
13 Philipp Frommenwiler +20,286
STANDINGS DRIVERS
1. Sven Müller 162
2. Matteo Cairoli 151
3. Mathieu Jaminet 146
…
8. Philipp Frommenwiler 67
STANDINGS TEAMS
1. Lechner MSG RT 293
2. FACH AUTO TECH 221
3. Martinet by Almeras 210
…
PORSCHE MOBIL 1 SUPERCUP ON TV
Summaries and repetitions can be watched at Eurosport and Sky Sport 2 during the following week.
PORSCHE MOBIL 1 SUPERCUP CALENDAR 2016
15.05. Barcelona (E)
29.05. Monte Carlo (MC)
03.07. Spielberg (A)
10.07. Silverstone (GB)
24.07. Budapest (HU)
31.07. Hockenheim (D)
28.08. Spa-Francorchamps (B)
04.09. Monza (I)
23.10. Austin (USA)