For the first time, the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia in 2024 established a ranking and therefore a title reserved for Rookies, in the true sense of debutants at the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup, therefore not only in the Italian single-make series but also in the other national series or naturally in Supercup.
In the end, about ten participants on a permanent basis (plus for example a “guest” of the caliber of Kalle Rovanpera) and above all a nice duel that characterized the first part of the season between Francesco Braschi, in his first season with Dinamic Motorsport, and Lirim Zendeli, the 25-year-old German who, after spending time in single-seaters up to FIA F2, has decided to turn his career towards GT racing, choosing the Carrera Cup Italia as the ideal place to start the journey.
In the second half of 2024, Zendeli definitively took off from his young Italian rival (who, at 20 years of age, “consoled himself” by winning the nomination of the Schoalrship Programme), until closing the accounts for the first title of the category at the end of race 1 held last Saturday in Monza.
With the championship closed, the Ombra Racing driver begins his summary of his first year in Porsche right from the last round which ended yesterday: “We were unlucky in qualifying – said Zendeli –something was making the car unstable when braking. We did a great job on balance and in the race we were among the fastest. In race 1 we climbed from P12 to P3 and then I was penalized, but I didn’t speak to the stewards otherwise I think they wouldn’t have done it. Race 2, however, was rather calm. I made some good overtakings and maximized what I could. In the end I finished seventh after a nice overtaking on Rovanpera, who was very good and it was nice to compete with him. We did well over the weekend overall, between duels and excellent performances, people saw what I’m capable of doing.”.
What do you think of your debut season in GT overall?
“I knew it would be difficult, but at the beginning I didn’t think that far. I understood that you have to stay in the car a lot to be able to minimize mistakes and everything. My talent helped me find myself where I am, to win the Rookie title, to get on the podium several times and fight in the top-10 in the Supercup. And I didn’t even do any tests, I signed up in March and took part in the official one in Imola. I really had to focus and learn continuously, staying serene. And, as a rider, there were many situations in which I felt disappointed and frustrated. But I never gave up and at a certain point everything changed. From Mugello onwards I was basically the fastest in the team, imagine if we start like this next year!”
Here: what will happen next year? Your future?
“We have to wait and see. There is nothing concrete at the moment. Obviously I like GT racing and I would be happy to continue the program. And to get some victories, it would be great to win the championship next year. I want to demonstrate, especially to Porsche I’m sure I’m up to it, I just don’t know how long it will take.”
The 2024 Rookie rankings
1. Zendeli 143 points
2. Braschi 89
3. Gray 65
4. Gregor
5. Pujatti 24
6. Olivieri 9
7. Fan 4
8. Giacon 1
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