There is always Monza in the destiny of Keagan Masters in the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia. First victory in the debut year 2022. Pole position last year. Second and third place this year with the first championship title won today, when the 24-year-old South African driver made both the Q8 Hi Perform Team, which returns to success in the championship after 3 years, and Ombra Racing, and the 911 GT3 Cup car, celebrate in official white-yellow-red-blue livery this year technically followed.
His strength seemed to come primarily from his head. From the brain. Which really made the difference in the key moments of the last two rounds, in Vallelunga and Monza, when both Ten Voorde and Klein ran into bad days that jeopardized their respective paths towards the title.
While Masters continued straight on his way. Whether it was in ninth or first position after a qualifying. Whether he was sixth or ahead of everyone in the race. Never a mistake, rather an Olympic calm in the excited moments (and there were many) that characterized the last 4 races of the season. Which, with the wind turning in his favor, ultimately changed everything.
And he took it all. This big boy from Johannesburg, always poised, always polite, always available. Even when things turn out the other way around: “I am incredibly happy to have won the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Italia – he declared after race 2 in Monza –; It’s been a fantastic year, full of challenges, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I want to thank the Q8 Hi Perform team for their amazing support and the exceptional work we have done together. This title is the result of a collective effort, and I can’t wait to face new challenges as a champion.”.
Keagan, let’s rewind the thread of today, with that excellent start from pole and then the risk with De Haan, then winner of the race, while you were fighting for first place on the second lap…
“Today was a good race, the car was fast, however I received a small contact from De Haan which made the front a bit strange, but fortunately the car was able to finish the race, I was worried about a puncture, it was It was really strange to ride after that contact but we did it. I knew I shouldn’t have to fight too much with Klein at the start, I didn’t want to be too aggressive and risk an accident, I was happy with third place and taking the championship home. “
Looks like you won the championship with your head… even today.
“We didn’t want to make any risky maneuvers. Even if De Haan had passed me I would have been happy to stay in his wake. Unfortunately we touched each other but in the end it went well and I’m happy to finish this title-winning season on the podium.”
What does this triumph mean to you?
“It’s important without a doubt. This is the first championship I faced when I arrived in Europe in 2022 and I finished second, now it’s really nice to be back this year and to have achieved first position.”
In fact it seems that you have a “parallel” history with the Carrera Cup Italia: do you think you will return to defend the title?
“It all depends on what happens now. Of course I would like it, I love the environment of Porsche Italia, the people and the organisation. They are doing really well. We’ll see, I’d be happy.”
Have you ever thought about jumping into GT3?
“Sure. That’s the goal, to become an official driver for one of the brands involved. Obviously the first target would be Porsche, but other brands would also be fine. I’d like to get into endurance racing in the future, I think it’s a different way of competing and It would be a new, interesting challenge for me. I hope to succeed.”
Do you think the Scholarship Program helped you in your first year in Carrera Cup?
“When I arrived in Italy in 2022 I didn’t know the circuits at all and attending it helped me in this sense. But also in terms of physical and mental preparation. Warm-up, preparation, the various de-briefings… I think they are excellent things and it’s good to be able to have them available in this sport.”
Which race was the most important this year?
“Probably this one! The goal was to get to the finish line… I think it was very important!”
Maybe you were right at the beginning of the weekend: there was more pressure on your rivals…
“Ten Voorde made a mistake in race 1 which complicated his chase for the title and it’s a shame that we couldn’t fight on the track, but I think we still had a great season, even if his mistakes were mine advantage.”
You were also very regular…
“I have never managed to get on the first step of the podium, apart from in the first round (at Misano in race 2, ed.). but the team did an excellent job, we were very consistent and often still came close to winning. The championship is then decided at each race and it was important and positive that we were consistent and competitive on most of the circuits.”
Have you ever thought you missed this first title?
“Yes. After qualifying in Vallelunga I told myself that the championship was over. I hadn’t managed to put together any good laps and I only started ninth and eighth while my rivals were ahead. But anything can happen in motorsport and start in pole position It doesn’t always favor you. That’s something I’ve really learned now!”
After the race, Masters also received compliments from the Q8 Hi Perform Team: “We are very proud of the journey Keagan has taken this season – declared Fabio Curtacci, Retail and Marketing Director of Q8 Italia –. From the beginning, we recognized his talent and potential, and he repaid our trust with commitment and excellent performances,” “Betting on a young talent like Keagan was a winning choice: he demonstrated remarkable maturity on the track and we are convinced that this is just the beginning of an extraordinary career”.
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