Perfect debut at premiere for Herberth Motorsport
On the legendary Formula 1 circuit in Imola, Italy, the GT World Challenge Europe started the new season from 1 to 3 April. Herberth Motorsport competed in the newly created Gold Cup with a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The two twin brothers Alfred and Robert Renauer shared their emergency vehicle with Ralf Bohn and together the trio secured the victory directly.
The Endurance Cup weekend in Imola got off to a promising start for Herberth Motorsport. Right from the start, it became clear that the Porsche team is competitive. Sixth place outdoors as well as in qualifying made it clear that Alfred and Robert Renauer's squad had a realistic chance of a podium finish. In the following three-hour race, they fought for positions within the top 10 for a long time. A little more than 40 minutes before the end of the race, Robert Renauer took the lead in the class after a safety car phase and did not give it up until the end.
"It was the perfect start for the team," said Robert Renauer after the first round of the season. "We were at the forefront right from the start. Of course, we are very pleased that our performance was rewarded with victory in the end. I'm very proud of the whole team, who gave everything at all times so that we could climb on the podium in the Gold Cup."
In the Gold Cup, which will be introduced in 2022, a bronze, silver and a gold or platinum pilot will compete together. For Ralf Bohn and the two Renauer brothers, this is the perfect platform to expand their long-standing cooperation. "We have already driven a lot of races in this combination, but always against the competition, which for the most part consisted exclusively of professionals. In the new Gold Cup, a maximum of one driver from each classification is allowed to start, which has significantly increased equal opportunities," says Alfred Renauer.
The first winners of the Gold Cup will be back at the next Endurance Cup round of the GT World Challenge Europe. The second race of the season will be held at the French Circuit Paul Ricard from 3 to 5 June.