Double pole and double podium in Zandvoort
Zandvoort’s dune circuit really sorts out the men from the boys. The Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland was staged by the coast in the Netherlands from July 15th to 17th. It was already apparent on Friday that Jeffrey Schmidt would be outstanding on the popular and challenging drivers’ circuit. The Swiss driver posted second-fastest time in Friday practice, improved yet again in qualifying and set the pole time for both races. Schmidt did not get away too well at the start in either of the two races due to a problem with a clutch cylinder, but the Swiss driver was very determined and secured second place twice.
Jeffrey, how would you sum up your performance overall after the third-last race weekend in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland?
I’ve got mixed feelings about the weekend. The start is the key to success in Zandvoort. If everything goes well with the start, then you’ll do okay. Unfortunately, that was not the case for us in either race. I was fast all weekend and took pole position in both races. We were the fastest in every session, but not to take the win is obviously very disappointing.
Your problems at the start were of a technical nature?
Yes. We struggled in both races with a clutch problem. We had a leaking clutch cylinder. We noticed a similar issue at the Norisring but couldn’t find the reason, so the starts were particularly tricky again in Zandvoort. We tried to find a solution overnight from Saturday to Sunday, but unfortunately, it didn’t help. Our mechanics will now have a proper look once we’re home.
Is there anything that you yourself can do to help in such a case?
I’ll try to improve my reaction times with a little practice over the coming weeks, because the championship leader, who was second on the grid in both races, got away like a rocket. He was incredibly quick off the mark when the lights went out. We’ll do everything we can to be like greased lightning, not just in the race but also at the start.
You outclassed the competition in qualifying, and on one of the most challenging circuits around for a racing driver.
The car felt really good right at the start in practice, so we already knew that we would be able to compete up front in qualifying, and that’s what happened. I practically dominated the field of drivers with a lead of nearly two and a half tenths. That’s quite a big margin in the Carrera Cup. I’m obviously proud to have achieved pole position twice on a circuit that puts huge demands on the driver.
Mathematically speaking, the title in the Porsche Carrera Cup is now out of reach, so will you focus solely on the championship in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in future, where first place is still up for grabs?
No, I step hard on the throttle every weekend, regardless of the series. We’ve known for some time that the Carrera Cup championship would not be ours for the taking this year, because too much went wrong. The Top Four in the championship did not retire once, whereas we scored a big fat zero three times. We’re just a little down on the driver in fourth place overall. We intend to reel him in, and with luck, third place may still be possible.
There is simply no let-up for you. You will be lining up at the Hungaroring under the banner of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup this weekend.
I’m especially looking forward to this race! We had a very successful test there recently, so I feel positive about it. We’ll have the necessary speed there, and we’re running very well at the moment. Overtaking at the Hungaroring is a bit easier than in Zandvoort, but a good qualifying is also enormously important there too. As regards setup, we are currently doing okay with it. Our setup suits most circuits, so as far as that goes, I can hardly wait for Budapest. Bring it on!
