Porsche Extends Lead in World Endurance Race

Porsche continues to extend its lead in the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Sports Car Championship.

This as Porsche drivers scored double podium finishes at Shanghai International Circuit, where the third round of the championship was held on November 10.

Porsche was already leading the World Endurance Championship (WEC) points standings coming into the Shanghai, China race.

During the September 1 season-opening round held in Silverstone, England, Porsche teams had clinched top positions, including a one-two finish in GTE-Pro class. Following this was an equally strong performance in the second round, held at Japan’s Fuji Speedway on October 6, where Porsche teams successfully defended their championship lead by securing top finishes in both the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes.

In Shanghai, reigning world champions Kevin Estre and Michael Christensen, aboard their No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR, took up the four-hour race from pole to place second, in the process extending their lead in the drivers’ classification.

The No. 91 911 RSR sister car of Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz finished in third spot, completing the Porsche GT Team’s appearance on the podium.

The Shanghai race was gripping to the last second, during which time the Porsche GT Team used the full course yellow, occurring just before the end of the race, for its last pit stop. With less than an hour to go, Estre managed to sweep from third into second place.

Bruni, who drove the final stint in the No, 91 car, made up one position with 40 minutes left on the clock to ultimately land on the podium.

Spirited drives and a strategic effort paid off for the Porsche GT Team over 125 laps on the 5.451-kilometer Shanghai circuit. Estre and Christensen now lead the drivers’ classification by five points. Bruni and Lietz are currently six points off the lead in third.

Porsche customer team Project 1 also secured a podium result in GTE-Am class. The trio of Ben Keating, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Larry ten Voorde brought the 2017-spec 911 RSR home in second place after 113 laps. Five other 911 RSR entries, fielded by Project 1, Dempsey-Proton Racing and Gulf Racing, rounded out Porsche teams’ performance at the Shanghai circuit.

“We knew that we’d have a difficult race ahead of us,” said Alexander Stehlig, Porsche’s Head of Operations for FIA WEC, after the race. “Unfortunately, we lost a position with the No. 92 car, which had started from pole position. Our second car started from sixth and finished in third. We weren’t the fastest out there at times but we compensated for this through our teamwork. We’re thrilled to have extended our lead in the championship standings and with our perfect performance as a team this weekend.”

The results have allowed Porsche to expand its lead in the manufacturers’ classification in WEC by 17 points.

The next round of the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Sports Car Championship is the 8 Hours of Bahrain, scheduled on December 14.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Autohub Group keen on expanding Zeekr dealer network for future models
    Autohub Group keen on expanding Zeekr dealer network for future models
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 13, 2025
  • First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 10, 2025
  • Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Check out Foton Tunland V9’s hits, misses
    Check out Foton Tunland V9’s hits, misses
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 11, 2025
  • Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
  • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025