Jasin Ferati / Newsletter No. 3 / 2023 (April 25)
Season opener on a classic track
Premiere for Jasin Ferati in Spa-Francorchamps: The 19-year-old from Winterthur is driving the first races in front of a large audience in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany this weekend.
In the supporting program of the six-hour race of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on April 29th, the season opener in the already 34th Porsche Carrera Cup Germany deserves the greatest importance. Two half-hour races on the 6.9 kilometer Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps are a big challenge, especially for the nine rookies in the impressive starting field with 32 drivers from 12 nations. One of these is 19-year-old Jasin Ferati from Winterthur, who traveled to Belgium with anticipation, respect and full of ambition.
After an intensive preparation phase with four days of testing, the first races of the Porsche Carrera Cup are on the program for the weekend. What do you expect from the season opener on the spectacular Formula 1 track?
Jasin Ferati: “I'm very familiar with the car, I know the track from Formula 3. There shouldn't be any surprises from there. I get into the car well prepared, will approach step by step and will not let myself be put under pressure. I want to get to know everything and then see where I stand and what the competition is like.”
With 32 cars on the track, the Porsche Carrera Cup is a completely different challenge than the Porsche Sprint Challenge Suisse, which you won in 2022. What are the biggest differences?
“Most of the competitors in the Carrera Cup are at the top level and are more experienced. We were on our own in the Swiss championship, there are more spectators and a much larger media presence in the WEC and DTM. In addition, the races are shown live on television.”
With Morris Schuring and Alexander Fach, you have two title contenders as teammates at Fach Auto Tech – an advantage?
“Since the drivers, race engineers and team boss exchange and compare all data, the conditions are ideal. Two top-class teammates are a great help and an additional incentive.”
As a rookie and member of the Porsche talent pool, you are under special attention. Is that more of a burden or an injection of motivation?
"It's definitely an additional motivation for me. As a rookie, I enjoy extensive support in many areas on and off the slopes. Only 8 of the 32 drivers benefit from this.”
After two years in single-seater racing, you managed to switch to GT racing with the 515 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Is it easier to push the limit in a GT race car?
“The handling is completely different, as are the brakes. But I feel more comfortable in the car and can better assess what is possible.”
Who are your favorites in Spa and what is required to be able to leave Belgium satisfied?
“Porsche Junior Bastian Buus, Larry ten Voorde, Harry King and my teammates were already up front in 2022. I want to get as close as possible to their times and get podium places with the rookies.”
Click here for the live stream and live timing from Spa
Thursday, 1:20 p.m. Training (60 minutes)
fFriday, 10:00 a.m. Qualifying; 3.45pm Race 1 (35 minutes)
Saturday, 09.20 Race 2 (35 minutes)