Laurin Heinrich claims double victory at the virtual Autodrom Most

A total of 21 drivers lined up on the grid of the virtual Autodrom Most (Czech Republic) in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car – among them, Porsche ambassador Timo Bernhard (D/Team75 Bernhard/Porsche Zentrum Mannheim). In race one, the two-time overall winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours managed to hold his own to claim a place in the midfield. The one-make cup ran its virtual event on the RaceRoom simulation platform. 

“That was an outstanding start to our second esports season. Both races were packed with duels and the best proof that virtual racing is truly entertaining. Seasoned sim racers, young guns and amateur drivers from real motor racing treated viewers to many overtaking manoeuvres, said Hurui Issak, Project Manager of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.

Vehicles in special paintwork of different Porsche Centres from all over Germany

All sim racers competed in vehicles finished in the special paintwork of different Porsche Centres from all over Germany. At both races, Heinrich (D/Porsche Zentrum Bamberg) achieved a lights-to-flag victory. In the first round, the polesitter gained a small lead right at the start and continued to build on it to ultimately take the flag after 19 laps in first place. “It was a perfect virtual race day for me. My start was great and I managed to conserve my tyres thanks to the gap I gained. I had the lead well under control at all times,” said a delighted Heinrich.

In hot pursuit, Rudy van Buren (NL/CarTech Motorsport/Porsche Zentrum Olympiapark) found no way past the leader in the first laps and eventually lost contact to Heinrich. The Formula E simulator driver finished the race second. “To be honest, I haven’t yet had a chance to get a lot of experience on RaceRoom. So, second place is better than I expected. I didn’t have the speed to fight Laurin Heinrich for the lead, so I’m happy with this result,” said van Buren. His compatriot Larry ten Voorde (Huber Racing/Porsche Zentrum Augsburg) followed over the line in third place. Berkay Besler (TR/Huber Racing/Porsche Zentrum Dortmund) secured fourth, with Dylan Pereira (L/Förch Racing/Porsche Zentrum Frankfurt) in fifth.

In race two, Heinrich again laid the foundation for his victory at the start. Taking up the race from pole position, the 18-year-old promptly pulled clear of the field and drove a confident race to claim his second victory. Heinrich also benefited from the battles behind him: starting from third on the gird, ten Voorde won the sprint to the first corner against van Buren to snatch second place. In lap two, however, van Buren made a countermove to retake second from ten Voorde and retained it to the flag. The third podium step was occupied by Pereira after ten Voorde spun in the sixth lap and fell down the order. Position four and five went to Julian Hanses (A/Förch Racing/Porsche Zentrum Berlin) and ten Voorde.

Timo Bernhard also joined the online race action on Saturday. The two-time world champion of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and five-time overall winner of the Nürburgring 24-hour race celebrated his esports debut. In his first race, he finished in the midfield on 15th. “Of course I was aware that the level at the top was extremely high. The races were fun and I managed to gain some interesting experiences,” concluded Bernhard. As guest drivers, the two Influencers Mathieu Wacker (“DiePixelHelden”) and David Karapetian (“Dave Gaming”) each finished on tenth.

Result

Autodrom Most, race 1
1. Laurin Heinrich (D/Porsche Zentrum Bamberg)
2. Rudy van Buren (NL/CarTech Motorsport/Porsche Zentrum Olympiapark)
3. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Huber Racing/Porsche Zentrum Augsburg)
4. Berkay Besler (TR/Huber Racing/Porsche Zentrum Dortmund)
5. Dylan Pereira (L/Förch Racing/Porsche Zentrum Frankfurt)

Autodrom Most, race 2
1. Laurin Heinrich (D/Porsche Zentrum Bamberg)
2. Rudy van Buren (NL/CarTech Motorsport/Porsche Zentrum Olympiapark)
3. Dylan Pereira (L/Förch Racing/Porsche Zentrum Frankfurt)
4. Julian Hanses (A/Förch Racing/Porsche Zentrum Berlin)
5. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Huber Racing/Porsche Zentrum Augsburg)

Preview

In response to the postponement of real-life races, the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland is moving the action online: On Saturday, 6 June, the national one-make cup will contest the “Porsche Esports Carrera Cup Deutschland – Race at Home”. A total of 24 drivers will tackle two 30-minute races on the digital version of the Autodrom Most (Czech Republic). The virtual Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with the starting number 20 is helmed by a well-known professional: Timo Bernhard (Germany), Porsche ambassador and two-time overall winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, also contests the event on the RaceRoom simulation platform.

“With the ‘Race at Home’, we’re further expanding our esports activities and underlining the significant role that digital motorsport plays for us in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. We’ve been active in this area since last year and I’m looking forward to two gripping races. The field is made up of experienced sim racers and hungry newcomers. I’m particularly pleased to have Timo Bernhard join the grid. He has enjoyed a stellar career and is now contesting virtual motor racing with us,” says Hurui Issak, Project Manager of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.

The Autodrom Most stretches over 4.212 kilometres and features 21 corners. Prior to the two races, a free practice (35 minutes), and a 15-minute qualifying session are on the programme. The top three from both races receive credits towards the entry fee for the real Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland season. Prize money totalling 15,000 Euros is up for grabs. 

Joining the line-up is the Formula E simulator driver and esports expert Rudy van Buren (NL/CarTech Motorsport). Also among the hot favourites are the seasoned sim racers Larry ten Voorde (NL/Huber Racing), who claimed third at last year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, and Dylan Pereira (L/Förch Racing). The two influencers Mathieu Wacker and David Karapetian complement the grid line-up as guest entries. Wacker is one of six people that runs the YouTube channel “DiePixelHelden” and regularly produces clips about the digital gaming world for its 172,000 followers. David Karapetian is also active on the YouTube video platform and creates content for motorsport simulations. His account “Dave Gaming” has 124,000 followers.

Timo Bernhard climbs into the virtual cockpit of a Cup car as a VIP driver. The 39-year-old has won the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) twice, is the two-time overall winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours and, with five overall victories at the Nürburgring 24-hour race, is one of the most successful sports car drivers of all time. Today, the Porsche ambassador is active in motor racing as the owner of the Team75 Bernhard. The racing squad contests the ADAC GT Masters, the ADAC GT4 Germany, as well as selected endurance events and kart races. “Those who have followed my active racing career know that I’m always open to new things and I love to take on new challenges. I haven’t had a lot of experience with sim racing, but that’s why I’m now taking part in the Porsche Esports Carrera Cup Deutschland. I look forward to some entertaining race action,” says Bernhard. 

Sport1 broadcasts the event on the simulation platform RaceRoom, which is also used for the esports races of the ADAC GT Masters and the DTM. The German TV station airs the Porsche Esports Carrera Cup Deutschland “Race at Home” live on Saturday from 2.30pm (CEST) on www.sport1.de. Moreover, Sport1 televises a comprehensive report on the digital event in its highlight magazine on Sunday (7 June, 11pm CEST).

“Race at Home” schedule (6 June)

2:00 to 2:35 pm: Free practice
2:35 to 2:50 pm: Qualifying
2:50 to 2:55 pm: Warm-up
2:55 to 3:25 pm: Race 1
3:25 to 3:30 pm: Warm-up
3:30 to 4:00 pm: Race 2
(All times CEST)