#6: Porsche Penske Motorsports, Porsche 963, GTP: Mathieu Jaminet, Nick Tandy
Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet’s #6 Porsche Penske managed a late overtake on Jack Aitken’s #31 Cadillac, who went off track trying to avoid traffic.
During qualifying, the margins were extremely tight, with the track evolving as lap times improved. There was no room for errors, and the dusty, dirty surroundings of Laguna Seca made it challenging to navigate and overtake.
Sebastien Bourdais maintained the lead after starting from pole position, extending it to over 20 seconds within the first hour of the race. The #01 Cadillac seemed destined for a dominant victory early on. However, a Safety Car period bunched up the pack and closed the pit lane due to debris, allowing the #31 Whelen Cadillac, driven by Jack Aitken, who had already made a pit stop, to take the lead.
The Porsche #7, driven by Felipe Nasr, caused the Safety Car period after being hit by the Lexus #12 GTD, driven by Frankie Montecalvo. The Porsche had to make an additional pit stop due to debris falling from the rear of the car.
The Acura #10 faced early race troubles, receiving a black flag for incorrect tire pressure and being forced to pit. Shortly after, the Acura #40 team received an official warning for power-related issues.
There was confusion between the Cadillac #31 Whelen and the Porsche #6 as they swapped positions under the Safety Car. The Porsche #6 restarted the race but immediately went off track in turn 2, allowing Jack Aitken’s Cadillac to regain the lead. Shortly after, the #01 Cadillac, driven by Renger Van Der Zande, overtook Nick Tandy’s Porsche #6 at the corkscrew and began to chase the leading Cadillac.
The BMWs faced challenges in the first half of the race. The #24, driven by Philipp Eng, managed to stay among the top three, but lost ground to the Acura #40 and the Porsche #6 after the Safety Car period. The sister BMW #25, driven by Nick Yelloly, also struggled, spinning in the middle of the race and losing more time after a slow pit stop.
Eventually, the BMW #24 lost a part of its rear wing, going off track at the same spot where the #25 had previously gone off during the race. It was a tough race for BMW after a promising performance in qualifying.
In the GTD Pro class, the Cadillacs #3 and #4 dominated the early stages of the race, with only a few seconds separating them. However, the Safety Car period reshuffled the order, leading to different strategies involving fuel and tires. The Corvette #4’s final planned pit stop left them in third place, while the #3, driven by Alexander Sims, lost about ten seconds.
The lead in the GTD Pro class was taken by Laurin Heinrich in the Porsche #77, who led the race in the final hour. The McLaren #9 managed to secure second place during the pit stops, overtaking the Corvette #4.
Nick Tandy stayed out on track longer before making his final pit stop, extending the lead over the Porsche #6 team. They managed to pass the Cadillac #01. As the leading Cadillac #31 encountered heavy traffic, the gap between the two cars narrowed to just half a second with 30 minutes remaining.
The Aston Martin GTD #27 was spun and ended up in the gravel at the exit of turn 2, after being hit by Gianmaria Bruni’s Porsche #5, who was trying to pressure Richard Westbrook’s Porsche #85.
The leading Cadillac #31 of Jack Aitken was hampered by GTD traffic. Aitken tried to maneuver around a group of cars at the exit of turn 6, but ended up going off track and into the gravel, allowing the Porsche #6 of Nick Tandy to take the lead. Shortly after, the battle between the Cadillac #01 of Van Der Zande and the Acura #40 of Jordan Taylor intensified. The two cars made contact on the main straight, with Taylor managing to overtake the struggling Cadillac.
This battle eventually allowed the BMW #25 of Nick Yelloly and the Acura #10 of Filipe Albuquerque to catch up with them with just five minutes remaining. Both the BMW and the Acura had faced challenges earlier in the race, but managed to recover before the checkered flag.
There was drama at the end of the race for the BMW #557 of Robby Foley, who was forced off track at turn 4 by the Acura #40 of Jordan Taylor. Foley’s car went off track, allowing Philip Ellis in the Mercedes #57 to take the lead in GTD with just a few minutes left in the race.
Nick Tandy crossed the finish line in the Penske Porsche #6 to secure an exciting victory at the Monterey Race at Laguna Seca, finishing about ten seconds ahead of the Whelen Cadillac #31 of Jack Aitken, who lost the lead in the final stages of the race. The Penske Porsche #7 of Felipe Nasr completed the double Porsche podium by finishing in third place.
Jordan Taylor’s Acura #40 recovered from an early setback to finish in fourth place, making a late pass on the Cadillac #01, which had initially dominated the race. Filipe Albuquerque’s Acura #10 also made a late pass on the BMW #25, driven by Nick Yelloly, to secure sixth place, with the BMW finishing in seventh.
Richard Westbrook finished in eighth place for the Porsche #85 team, while the BMW #24, driven by Philipp Eng and Jesse Krohn, had a disappointing race after leading in practice at the beginning of the weekend. The Porsche #5 of Gianmaria Bruni completed the GTP field.
In the GTD Pro class, the Porsche #77 of Laurin Heinrich overtook the Corvettes #3 and #4 during the Safety Car period to secure the victory. The McLaren #9, driven by Marvin Kirchh Fer, finished in second place, while the Corvette #4, which started on pole position, took the final spot on the podium.
The Lexus #14, driven by Ben Barnicoat, finished fourth in GTD Pro, followed by Alexander Sims in the Corvette #3 in fifth place. In the GTD class, Philip Ellis secured the victory in the Mercedes #57, making a late pass on the BMW #557, driven by Robby Foley. The Porsche #120 of Elliott Skeer completed the GTD podium.
© 2024
Portugal wins the FIFA World Cup title
The Portuguese national football team made history by winning the 2024 FIFA World Cup title. With an impeccable campaign, the team led by coach Fernando Santos showed an engaging style of play and dominated their opponents in every match.
The final, held at the National Stadium in Lisbon, was thrilling. Portugal faced the Brazilian national team and won 3-2 in a match filled with goals and twists. The Portuguese team took the lead with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo early in the game, but Brazil managed to turn the score around in the first half.
In the second half, the Portuguese team showed their determination and managed to equalize the game with a goal from Bernardo Silva. The match remained balanced, but in injury time, Portugal scored the winning goal with a beautiful shot from Bruno Fernandes.
The conquest of the Soccer World Cup title was celebrated throughout the country. Thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate the historic achievement of the Portuguese national team. Coach Fernando Santos highlighted teamwork and the players’ commitment as determining factors for the victory.
With this win, Portugal solidifies its position as one of the powers in world soccer. The Portuguese team had already won the Euro Cup in 2016 and now adds another important title to its gallery. The Portuguese players also stood out individually, with Cristiano Ronaldo being elected the best player of the tournament.
The next edition of the Soccer World Cup will be held in 2026, and Portugal is already preparing to defend its title. The Portuguese team promises to continue with its offensive and engaging style of play, seeking more victories and bringing joy to Portuguese fans.
Portugal is in celebration, and the whole country is proud of its national team. Congratulations, Portugal, for the historic conquest of the Soccer World Cup!
