Richard Westbrook aims for third straight win at the Bosporus

Stuttgart. On the Grand Prix circuit in Istanbul Park, the thrilling fight for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup title goes into its fifth round. Travelling to the Bosporus as the race favourites are Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands and Richard Westbrook from Great Britain. Both have notched up two wins so far this season: Points’ leader Bleekemolen won the first two rounds in Bahrain, with his toughest rival Westbrook claiming victory in Barcelona and Monaco.

In the fascinating million-resident metropolis where Europe meets Asia, the world’s fastest international one-make series appears for the third time. At first glance, Jeroen Bleekemolen seems to have the upper hand. The Konrad Motorsport pilot and reigning champion not only secured a light-to-flag win at the debut race of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup here in 2007 but also turned the fastest race lap and was fastest in free practice and qualifying. “I like this circuit. It resembles Bahrain in many ways and I won there twice this year,” says Bleekemolen confidently. But the double Supercup champion Richard Westbrook, driving for the Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport team, is also good for his third win in succession. “My first Monaco victory was tremendously motivating for me and my team. Backed by this success we are going for victory in Istanbul.”

Waiting for their chance behind the two favourites are Supercup specialist Patrick Huisman (SPS Performance) and Supercup rookie Matt Halliday (Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport). The four-time champion from the Netherlands, and the New Zealand GT3 Cup Challenge newcomer to the series, currently rank third equal in the standings. After securing third in Bahrain and Barcelona, Matt Halliday is undoubtedly the surprise of the season so far.

In Istanbul, many are curious to see if René Rast (Germany) is able to continue his good performance from Monaco, where he achieved second in a repeat of his season-opening result in Bahrain. Also holding good chances for their first win of the season are Stefan Rosina from Slovakia and Irishman Damien Faulkner, vice-champion of 2007 and 2008. Driving for Walter Lechner Racing School, the duo currently rank fifth and sixth respectively in the points’ standings and are determined to keep within striking distance of the front-runners.

Drivers’ classification after 4 of 11 races
1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 80 points
2. Richard Westbrook (GBR), 64
3. Matt Halliday (NZL), 52
3. Patrick Huisman (NED), 52
5. Stefan Rosina (SVK), 46
6. Damien Faulkner (IRL), 44

Rookie classification after 4 of 11 races
1. Matt Halliday (NZL), 52 points

Team classification after 4 of 11 races
1. Federsand-Jetstream Motorsport, 115 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 101
3. Walter Lechner Racing School, 90