At round nine on the Monza high-speed circuit in Italy, Müller beat a strong field of international rivals to cross the finish line ahead of Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (I/Market Leader Team by Project 1) and Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East). “You don’t get it better than this! I can hardly believe it myself that I’ve won four of the last five races. I feel very good in the car – it’s simply running fantastically,” beamed Müller.

This result has shuffled the Lechner Racing Middle East pilot up the points’ table to now rank third overall. Philipp Eng (Market Leader Team by Project 1) still leads the series with 137 points. Behind him sit Christian Engelhart (D/MRS GT-Racing, 120 points) and Müller (110 points).

Cracking start for Cairoli and Müller

When the German national anthem was played at the award ceremony at the “Autodromo Nazionale di Monza”, the German pilot had an action-packed race behind him. The challenging corners and ultra-fast straights on which the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers could reach a top speed of up to 280 kilometres per hour became the benchmark for the 37-strong field contesting Sunday’s race. Cairoli and Müller, who took off from positions one and two, made a cracking start into the race, with Müller winning the initial sprint and settling in at the front of the 18-nation field. He put in an immaculate drive over the 18 laps to build up a 4.9-second gap to the rest of the field.

Cairoli successfully fended off his pursuers to take the flag in second place for the second time this weekend. “My aim, of course, was to win the race. But Sven was simply too strong this weekend. I’m pleased that I could climb the podium at my home race,” declared the 19-year-old youngster from Italy.

“I’m glad this weekend is over”

Ammermüller crossed the finish line in third place and, with his earned points, he preserved his chance in the fight for overall honours at the end of the season. With 106 points, the Barcelona winner ranks fourth just four points behind Müller. Uwe Brettel, Head of Porsche Motorsport Sales, presented the trophies to the Supercup drivers.

Alex Riberas (The Heart of Racing by Lechner) from Spain occupied fifth place in the race and now lies fifth in the championship with 104 points. Sixth and seventh position went to Austria’s Christopher Zöchling (Fach Auto Tech) and Eng. “I’m glad this weekend is over. We have to work on the car. I’m understandably not happy with sixth and seventh, but it’s not the end of the championship,” concluded Eng.

Starting from 18th after a fluffed qualifying, Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/VERVA Lechner Racing Team) saw the flag in eleventh. “Today was all about damage control. Now I need to set my sights on my home race at the finale in Austin.”

Müller also wins race eight

Porsche Junior Sven Müller (Team Lechner Racing Middle East) has clinched his third win of the season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on Saturday evening. At the eighth of eleven races, the 23-year-old German took the flag ahead of Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (I/Market Leader Team by Project 1) and Michael Ammermüller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East) on positions two and three respectively.

“What a wonderful feeling! I won last year’s Monza race too and now I’ve notched up my third Supercup win this season here,” said a beaming Müller. A 39-strong fleet of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup lined up on the grid for today’s race – a record field in the 23-year history of the series.

The sun was already low over the 5.793 kilometre high-speed “Autodromo Nazionale di Monza” circuit when the race got underway. Ammermüller took off from pole position but had to relinquish the lead spot to local hero Cairoli after just a few metres. Several collisions in the backfield during the first lap saw the safety car deployed.

Non-stop overtaking

After the restart, Cairoli maintained his commanding lead until the tenth lap. Then came Müller. Running a flat wing, the German swept past Cairoli. “That was really a terrific race. It’s of course fantastic to climb the podium at my home race. I’m starting Sunday’s race from pole and I’m looking forward to that,” said Cairoli.

Every lap of the race was packed with action: High-speed battles at 270 kilometres per hour between Ammermüller and Müller, non-stop overtaking, and a closing-up of the gap in the overall standings. Trailing Müller, Cairoli and Ammermüller over the finish line was rookie Côme Ledogar (Martinet by Almeras) from France. Supercup specialist from Poland Robert Lukas (Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport) scored fifth ahead of championship leader Philipp Eng (Market Leader Team by Project 1) from Austria. Spaniard Alex Riberas (The Heart of Racing by Lechner) earned himself all-important championship points for seventh place. Christian Engelhart (D/MRS GT-Racing, 82 points) finished eighth.

Austin/Texas hosts the next race weekend of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on 23 to 25 October. Forty points are still up for grabs at the double-header season finale. The “Circuit of The Americas” is a home race for Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (VERVA Lechner Racing Team). Although the American comes from California, the 22-year-old is looking forward to racing in Texas: “It’s my first home race in three years. My family is coming to the track and that, of course, makes it something very special for me. I’m bringing my cowboy hat for good luck and I hope for top results.”