Young bloods lead rookie Rosenqvist’s ‘toughest’ race

PORSCHE SUPERCUP SPA (B) AUGUST 26 ROUND 7/9 Whether Rene Rast or Richard Westbrook, Nick Tandy or Nicki Thiim, the Porsche Supercup has enjoyed a rich ‘recent’ history as a conveyor belt of top-class talent.

Although the experienced Michael Ammermuller is leading the race for the 2018 title, which would be his second in a row, the emergence of a crop of young talent indicates a changing of the guard. And if you want proof that these new contenders can live up to the series’ high standards, take a look at the masterclass dished out to the guy who finished ninth at Spa.

Felix Rosenqvist is one of the best drivers outside Formula 1, having won Macau twice, taken victory in Formula E and scored podiums in Super Formula and Super GT. Last weekend, he described the Supercup as “by far the toughest thing I’ve ever got myself into”. Rosenqvist managed to qualify 10th in the 33-car field, but made no progress. He dropped a place on lap one, regained it, then got promoted thanks to a post-race penalty for one of his rivals.

Leading the “specialists”, as Rosenqvist calls them, in Belgium was 20-year-old Thomas Preining. He dominated the race from pole position and claimed a comfortable win by 3.6 seconds over the 21-year-old Larry ten Voorde. But a false-start penalty demoted ten Voorde to 10th, with Zaid Ashkanani inheriting second. Six of the top 10 were younger than Rosenqvist (26) as the Supercup’s new youthful horde took control, led by Preining showing maturity beyond his years.

Ten Voorde had taken advantage of a scruffy race from 19-year-old Frenchman Julien Andlauer, who spent too much time sliding across kerbs and runoff as he fell from second to fourth. Mattia Drudi completed a fine rise from ninth to third by demoting Andlauer on the final lap.

Ammermuller’s championship lead was reduced to one point after he finished sixth, a place behind nearest rival Nick Yelloly.