The 2018 prize giving ceremony for the Porsche Carrera Cup France took place on Wednesday 30 January in Paris. Not only were all the main actors in this intensely competitive championship present for this occasion, but also the official Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet and other media, journalists and racing professionals.
Some well-compiled and professional videos reminded the audience of the main battles and rivalries during the season in all categories: overall, junior and gentleman (B class).
The 2018 champion, Ayhacan Guven (Attempto Racing) from Turkey, was the first ever foreign driver to clinch the French title since the championship began. He won the title after an epic battle with 2017 champion (and now official Porsche junior driver) Julien Andlauer. The title was played out right up until the last corner, of the last lap, of the last race of the season!
The two drivers will now concentrate on a full 2019 campaign in the Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup. The overall podium was completed by the Italian driver Alessio Rovera (Tsunami RT) with three wins this season, and is also Porsche Supercup protagonist.
The rookie trophy was awarded to Hugo Chevalier, the Espoir 2018 of the Carrera Cup, who finished fourth overall in his first season in the series. At the same time, Adam Eteki (16 years old) the new Espoir for 2019 was questioned about his new status and his goals ahead of the start of the new season. Just like most of his fellow Porsche competitors, Eteki is a graduate from the French F4 single-seater series. The selection was organised at the end of the 2018 year at Paul Ricard circuit, and included public relations and media appearances as criteria of selection.
The gentlemen drivers’ category was hotly disputed last year but the title was finally won by Nicolas Misslin (Team Martinet by Almeras) (driving in Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup), with former Carrera Cup Champion (2002 and 2003) Sebastien Dumez (Team 85/Bourgoin Racing) finishing second.
The champion team for 2018 was again, for the second consecutive year, Team Martinet by Almeras. Philippe Almeras was present at the ceremony together with his squad of young and talented drivers, who said he was preparing for a challenging 2019 season in both the French Carrera Cup and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Second in the Team rankings was Sebastien Loeb Racing.
In conjunction with the prize giving ceremony, the marketing department of Porsche France surprised many when they presented the newest Porsche 911 model (992). This had the feel of a private reveal before the official launch in the French market, scheduled for March this year.
Written by: Lucian Sonea
Images by: Lucian Sonea & Porsche Motorsport/Alexis Goure
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