it starts shortly with qualifying and then in the afternoon it ends with race 1 on the most important Saturday in Keagan Masters’ driving career. Precisely in Monza, where the last and decisive round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia is underway and where the 24-year-old South African from Team Q8 Hi Perform presents himself as leader in the standings.
It was precisely in the Temple of Speed that Masters achieved his first success in his debut season in the Italian single-brand championship, in October 2022, while last year he won in qualifying by achieving a not bad pole position in 1’49″481 (today we expects to fall well below that limit, temperatures permitting).
In that round he also preceded Larry Ten Voorde, who then won the 2023 title the following day. The Dutchman from Fulgenzi Racing is only one point behind in the standings, but Masters actually still has some points to discard and therefore today he is called upon to resist the sure shock wave from the reigning champion, already in front in yesterday’s free practice (even if on a damp-wet surface which then dried out) and ready to return as the absolute protagonist after the bad weekend experienced in Vallelunga.
And then there is also the third wheel, that Marvin Klein who with Target Competition in the last stages has always shown a more aggressive attitude than the South African, at least in qualifying.
Keagan, even if only by one point, did you expect to show up at this final round in Monza as leader of the standings when the season started?
“This was our goal at the beginning of the year, to win in this championship. I honestly didn’t expect to be in the lead after Vallelunga because there we didn’t have the best car and the best pace. Plus we had a terrible qualifying and I don’t know how we got out of it from Vallelunga with more points, luck was on our side So I didn’t expect it after the last stage, but I’m happy that it happened like this that now we can play everything in the last round and this is also nice for the team. public and enthusiasts.”
But you know well that a weekend like the one in Vallelunga wouldn’t be enough to win the title.
“Obviously we have to win. Whoever wins the race and stays in front will win the title. This is the main objective, to do our job correctly and well enough to be better than our opponents.”
Here in Monza you have always shown a truly competitive pace…
“Monza has always been a favorable track for me. Last year we took pole ahead of Ten Voorde. I won my first Carrera Cup Italia race two years ago in the rain. Now the track is slightly different. There are some differences, such as the renewed asphalt and curbs, so we will race with a different setup compared to 2023. Ombra Racing (which technically follows the official 911 GT3 Cup of Team Q8 Hi Perform, ed.) he had positive tests with Oliver (Gray, ed.)while I didn’t run after the Supercup test, when we raced with the F1 and therefore with a specific track tyre, it will be very interesting to see how it has changed, especially after the GT World Challenge weekend.”
Do you think it will change much compared to last month?
“Yes it will be different compared to the F1 tyres, so we expect a track with less grip, but at the same time also with greater grip in some points. because F1 has a lot of grip, but it’s particular.”
Who feels the most pressure between you, Ten Voorde and Klein?
“Huh (he thinks about it for a few seconds, smiling, ed.)… probably Ten Voorde because he can’t stand losing. So do I, but Larry has been in the lead all season and I don’t think if he drives like in Vallelunga it will be positive, he needs to drive more relaxed and not make mistakes. I think he feels a lot of pressure from us, we will do everything we can and hope for the best. It’s quite complicated not to think about the championship, but in the end you just have to stay focused and push as hard as you can.”
What value do you give to the qualifications starting soon?
“Qualifying will be one of the fundamental sessions because a good starting position puts you in a dominant position for the race. The aim is just to stay ahead of your direct rivals, obviously it would be nice to get pole. We have to use the right strategy, find the right timing and hope that there are no red flags. There are a lot of us this weekend, there will be traffic, we have to keep calm and hope to find a clean lap.”
It is also expected that you will all use the wild Michelin tires: have you already decided when you will mount them?
“No. After qualifying we will decide based on tire condition and starting position. Here too we have to play it strategically, let’s see what happens!”
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