Vanthoor “Dreaming” Of Unique WEC/Macau Double Title

Porsche driver Laurens Vanthoor is going into this weekend’s FIA GT World Cup at Macau “dreaming” of completing a unique double following his FIA World Endurance Championship drivers’ championship triumph in Bahrain.

Vanthoor is targeting his second triumph on the streets of Macau following his famous 2016 victory for Audi, which he achieved the win despite being on his roof.

But the Belgian driver has the chance to become the first ever driver to win both the WEC and GT World Cup titles in the same year, after he and co-drivers Kevin Estre and Andre Lotterer clinched the former prize in a tense season finale earlier this month.

Unlike last year, Estre is not part of Porsche’s five-strong Macau stable.

“It would definitely be unique,” said Vanthoor when asked by Sportscar365 about the prospect of winning both titles. “It’s what I’m dreaming of for sure.

“It will not be easy at all, but winning both [in one season] would be quite impressive.”

Having raced for Chinese outfit Toro Racing in 2023, Vanthoor will be part of the Absolute Racing stable this weekend as he pursues Porsche’s first GT World Cup win.

The Stuttgart marque suffered a difficult weekend last year as the 911 GT3 R proved off the pace, with Vanthoor finishing sixth, but the 33-year-old echoed Porsche motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach’s hopes of a better showing this weekend.

“Last year we had some mechanics and engineers from Manthey, which will be the same this year, just under a different banner,” he explained.

“We were quite strong in terms of the Porsches, but we were missing in terms of the other manufacturers. The Balance of Performance looks a bit more favorable this time, so I hope we will be more in the game.”

Despite his confidence regarding a stronger showing, Vanthoor admits that growing competition from Porsche’s rivals, including expanded efforts from Ferrari and Lamborghini, will make winning a second GT World Cup crown no easy feat.

“The entry list is quite impressive,” he said. “I think the level is as high as it has ever been in terms of drivers. It’s cool to see because the WEC field was the strongest it has ever been and now also Macau.

“The level is so high now, so anyone who wins can say they have won a proper event.”

Picariello’s “Targets Are Higher” For Second Macau Visit

Joining Vanthoor in the two-car Absolute Porsche stable this weekend is his fellow countryman Alessio Picariello, who concluded last year’s Main Race at Macau as the second-best of the Porsche drivers in eighth place.

It will mark Picariello’s third outing at Macau following his 2019 debut and last year’s race, and the 31-year-old says he is relishing another chance to prove himself in what he hopes will be a more competitive package this time around.

“Last year was a good first taste with Porsche,” Picariello told Sportscar365. “Everything was a bit unknown but I was happy with my performance.

“All the Porsches were on the back foot, but we’re confident that this year will be better than last year. It’s exciting, also to be chosen by Porsche.

“I think last year was a ‘test’, because Macau doesn’t suit everybody. But in the end it went well, I didn’t make any mistakes and I was the second-fastest Porsche, plus the team wanted me back.

“The targets are higher but it will be really difficult, also because the level is so high.”