Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Yifei Ye put in a strong performance in Round 4 of the European Le Mans Series at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, qualifying on the front row and taking the crucial final stint to secure a podium finish in COOL Racing’s #37 Oreca 07.

In the LMGTE class, Absolute Racing picked up another solid points finish with fifth. Indonesian driver Andrew Haryanto, 2020-21 Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Alessio Picariello and Estonian racer Martin Rump put in a good effort in the #18 Porsche 911 RSR and were denied the chance of a podium by a late Full Course Yellow.

Over in Asia, the Thailand Super Series entered its second event of the season at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. Brothers Munkong and Tanart Sathienthirakul secured two podium finishes in the GTM class. The pair, racing in the #15 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, took third on Saturday and second on Sunday.

In the GTC class, Aekarat Discharone earnt victory in the first race for Diamond Motorsport Racing Team by A Motorsport in the #99 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997.2). In the second race on Sunday, Adisak Tangphuncharoen secured a podium finish for B-Quik Racing Team in the #26 machine, taking third place.

In Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia campaign, Leo Ye continued his perfect start to the campaign by winning both races at V1 Auto World Tianjin. Competing for JUNJIE Racing, the driver of the #777 car has earnt victory in all four events this season.

There were also double wins in the Pro-Am and Am categories, with Lu Wei and Henry Kwong taking two victories in their respective classes.

Finally, it was Eric Zang who dominated in the Porsche Sprint Challenge China, with the TORO Racing driver winning both races. There were also podium finishes for Jeffrey Zee, Ke Yang and Weixiong Lin.

Yifei Ye, #37 COOL Racing Oreca 07: “I had good pace in qualifying, we were so close to pole position but still starting on the front row was a good result. Midway through the race we were in touch with the leader but unfortunately Nico was touched by a lapped car, meaning he had to pit for repairs and we also had to serve a penalty for a pit stop infringement earlier in the race. That meant when I jumped in the car we weren’t in the fight for the win any more, but I could still battle for a podium finish. In the end it’s a good result for us, and we’ll look to continue to improve and learn from our mistakes for the race at Spa in a month’s time.”

Andrew Haryanto, #18 Absolute Racing Porsche 911 RSR: “I gave it my all in qualifying, unfortunately we didn’t have the brake bias in the right place so that compromised our lap times. Alessio and Martin both did great stints and we should be pleased with our race pace. The team worked hard to prepare the car and the crew performed excellently in the pit stops, so we can head to Spa and look for more there.”

Martin Rump, #18 Absolute Racing Porsche 911 RSR: “Not the result we were hoping for but yet once again we’ve shown we have the tools available to go for the win. Thanks to the team for working brilliantly all weekend! Now, a big push for a result at Spa!”

Alessio Picariello, #18 Absolute Racing Porsche 911 RSR: “We were hoping to make up more positions today but overtaking is always difficult in Barcelona, meaning the gap to the leaders was just too big at the end. I enjoyed my stint, the car felt good and I worked my way up the order to P2, but a late Full Course Yellow denied us a deserved strong result. We won’t give up and will continue to give our all in Spa.”

Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “It was a very positive weekend for Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific across Asia and Europe. Yifei once again proved his immense talent, coming so close to taking pole and putting in a good final stint to secure the podium finish. Absolute Racing also put in a strong effort and were unlucky not to come away with a better result.

“After a strong weekend at Bangsaen in the first event of the year, we’re happy to see the continued Porsche success in Buriram, with wins and podiums across the GTC and GTM classes making it a positive event. At Tianjin, it was another brilliant weekend of Porsche action. The Porsche Sports Cup China and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia continued with some excellent track action and wheel to wheel racing. There’s still plenty more to come in all championships this season, so we’re excited to see what’s to come!”