Porsche Mobil 1 SuperCup (Motorsport - Road Racing)

 

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Martini Racing Colors Debut

Martini Racing Colors Debut

14/05/2013, International, Motorsport - Road Racing, Porsche Mobil 1 SuperCup, Article # 13771
Close racing between Loeb and Barker in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup - Catalunya 12 May 2013
ELEVEN STRIPES – ONE LEGEND. MARTINI®
RACING COLOURS DEBUT
 

Loeb defies predictions in first Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race
 
 
London, 14 May 2013 – Sébastien Loeb proved that LUCK IS AN ATTITUDETM this weekend (11/12 May 2013) as he stepped out in the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car draped in legendary MARTINI® Racing Stripes. His performance wowed the huge Formula 1® crowds at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, during the opening round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
 
Fresh from his World Rally Championship (WRC) win in Argentina, the nine-time World Rally Champion proved you can do anything with the right attitude as he skilfully guided the demanding MARTINI® Racing striped GT racer around Spain's stunning 4.6 kilometre race track. Having only driven the car twice before, the rally legend qualified thirteenth from a 27-car grid during Saturday’s 30 minute qualifying session. He then went on to take an eleventh place finish as the chequered flag fell on Sunday’s 14 lap race.
 
Part of the MARTINI® 150 Anniversary celebration, Sébastien Loeb’s debut in the new livery re-ignites the legendary relationship between MARTINI® Racing and Porsche. A relationship representing some of motorsport’s most glorious victories across almost every category of the sport. As excitement mounted, there was a scrum of photographers on the start grid as smiling Formula 1® driver Adrian Sutil posed with the car and Bernie Ecclestone himself made an appearance to see the iconic sight of eleven light blue, dark blue and red stripes first hand which once symbolised a large part of his Brabham Formula 1® days in the ‘70s.
 
More at home on the twisty gravel stages of rallying than the slick tarmac of the race track, 39-year-old motorsport maverick, Loeb, has written the opening line of another textbook entry in MARTINI® Racing history with his impressive performance ahead of Monte Carlo, 25/26 May. The Frenchman quickly made up two places from his starting position during the 30-minute race – narrowly missing out on a top-ten finish after an exciting wheel-to-wheel race with Britain’s Ben Barker.
 
The pair briefly traded places during lap seven following an impressive manoeuvre which saw the MARTINI® Racing stripes of Loeb’s machine charge down the inside of the number 10 car to gain tenth position. However, experienced Supercup driver Barker regained his spot through the next corner and drove a defensive race for the remaining seven laps – contending with a rear-view mirror filled with the celebrated racing livery, which has graced many legendary Porsche models. Barker eventually crossed the line in tenth, just one second ahead of Loeb’s number 88 car in eleventh.
 
Today's prediction-defying result is testament to the attitude and desire to win synonymous with drivers who sit behind the wheel of a MARTINI® Racing machine. One of the most successful drivers the world has ever seen, Loeb retired from WRC to step out of his comfort zone and try new things. Racing against a large grid of seasoned Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup drivers is a tough challenge, particularly against youngsters who have grown up as specialists in circuit racing.
 
Sébastien Loeb said: “During the first laps I was somewhat cautious. I know how easy it is to get tangled up in a skirmish with such a close field. I wasn’t able to get much further ahead. When you have so many strong drivers ahead of you who are all going the same speed there is not much chance to overtake. Still, it was huge fun. As the weekend went on I felt increasingly better in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and now I’m looking forward to the race in Monaco. There, the qualifying is more important of course and hopefully I can start from a little further up the grid.”
 
Florian Kurz, Head of Business Relations Porsche AG, added: "It was fantastic to see a driver of [Sébastien] Loeb's calibre race the VIP car this weekend. He is well respected in every echelon of motorsport and I know our Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup drivers were looking forward to racing against him.
"The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car looks great, especially dressed in fantastic MARTINI® Racing livery as part of MARTINI® 150 Anniversary celebrations, remembering the very special relationship between MARTINI® and Porsche. Both the car and Loeb caused quite a stir."
Martini & Porsche Re-Ignite Motorsport

Martini & Porsche Re-Ignite Motorsport

06/05/2013, International, Motorsport - Road Racing, Porsche Mobil 1 SuperCup, Article # 13750
MARTINI® AND PORSCHE RE-IGNITE MOTORSPORT PARTNERSHIP IN SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY YEAR
 
Iconic MARTINI® Racing livery debuts in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
 
 
London, 6 May 2013 – A long-standing partnership involving two motorsport legends will be re-ignited as the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car makes its debut wrapped in iconic MARTINI® Racing Stripes. As part of the MARTINI® 150 Anniversary celebration this year, the new car will be driven by nine-time world champion, Sébastien Loeb, during the opening round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Catalunya, Barcelona, Sunday 12 May.
 
As Official Partner to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which runs as a support series on the Formula 1® bill, MARTINI® – maker of the world’s number one vermouth and favourite branded Italian sparkling wine – resurrects an important part of its rich 150-year heritage. The new car displays the distinctive dark blue, light blue and red stripes of MARTINI® Racing for the first time since 2008.
 
Most notable for his rally endeavours, Sébastien Loeb is no stranger to the tarmac of circuit racing – often entering multi-discipline championships with the same determination and courage the former electrician is famous for. As part of a three-pronged campaign highlighting the illustrious history of MARTINI® Racing, the 39-year-old Frenchman will compete in two rounds of the high-profile Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup; Catalunya (12 May) and Monte Carlo (26 May).
 
A second driver, yet to be named, will take the helm of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car for the third round at the MARTINI® home circuit – Monza, Italy later in the year on 8 September.
 
Arnaud Meysselle, MARTINI® Global Category Director of Vermouth and Sparkling Wine, said of the rekindling of the partnership of two iconic brands: “This is an extraordinary year for MARTINI® as we are celebrating our 150 Anniversary. Partnering with Porsche once again, during 50 Years of 911, and seeing the new 911 GT3 Cup car adorned with MARTINI® Racing Stripes is a special moment for the brand and MARTINI® Racing enthusiasts alike. We believe LUCK IS AN ATTITUDE and the resurrection of the celebrated partnership between MARTINI® Racing and Porsche is the start of a new chapter in this legendary story.”
 
Jonas Krauss, Head of Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, said: “From the first day the beloved stripes of MARTINI® Racing decorated a Porsche 906 in 1968, the illustrious pairing has gone on to claim some of motorsport’s most coveted titles, including numerous Le Mans 24 hours titles, during what is now considered to be a classic period of motorsport.  We’re excited to be once again partnering with MARTINI® in its 150 Anniversary year.”