Jeffrey Schmidt secures maiden win in Porsche Carrera Cup
Historic success for Jeffrey Schmidt during the fifth race weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup! The 21-year-old won the main race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on Sunday. Schmidt is now in second place in the championship after finishing fourth in Saturday’s race.
Jeffrey, you have now taken your maiden win in the Porsche Carrera Cup after previously achieving four podiums. How does it feel?
I’m speechless, it’s just awesome! I was always certain that I could do it, and now, I finally have. A huge thanks to my team and my supporters who were always behind me and believed in me. It’s a brilliant feeling to stand on the top rung of the podium and not have to look to the left or right. I’ve already stood on the podium a number of times, but the view from the very top is even nicer. I could get used to it.
The main race on Sunday was a real spectacle. Could you tell us how you secured the win from sixth place on the grid?
It stopped raining for a while before the start of the race after pouring it down. The team and I took the decision to bolt on full wets, unlike many other drivers. Our strategy worked perfectly, because it began to rain again just as the race started. I went into the lead on the first lap on the wet track and never looked back. Most cars headed for the pits during an early safety car period, while I was able to stay out. I got two really good re-starts after both safety car periods. I had a lead of more than seven seconds on the runner-up at the finish line.
How did you cope with the tough conditions in Spielberg?
Very well. I always feel at ease on the Red Bull Ring. The circuit simply suits me. It was the same in the wet. I was able to drive a very controlled race. My car was set up perfectly, and I would like to thank the guys from Lechner Racing for that. I felt really good in my Porsche the whole weekend. I didn’t need to be absolutely on the limit in the the wet conditions thanks to my decent turn of speed and was able to maintain a small cushion. The whole package was perfect, and this victory in my team’s home race is our just reward after all the hard work.
You placed fourth in the first race, narrowly missing the podium, but still secured points. How will you approach the remaining Carrera Cup races?
I’m back in second place in the championship after this great weekend. There’s everything to play for with three race weekends to go. I led the overall standings at the start of the season, so why shouldn’t things work out well for me at the end? I’m very confident after the latest results that we can be among the front-runners in the upcoming races as well. I’ve been in the points in every race this season so far. This consistency – coupled with some top results – could pay off at the end of the year.
You will be back racing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, August 21st-23rd. Spa-Francorchamps, run under the Formula 1 banner, is one of the highlights of the year. How do you rate your chances in Belgium?
I’m already really looking forward to Spa. I’ve never raced on this legendary track before. It was a bit like that at the last Supercup race in Hungary. I hardly knew the circuit there either, but I very quickly got my eye in. I was the second most successful rookie at the Hungaroring. At any rate, I’m now heading to Spa-Francorchamps with plenty of self-confidence.
