Second round for Van Merksteijn Motorsport with Porsche RS Spyder at Monza

This weekend, the team Van Merksteijn Motorsport by Equipe Verschuur will be in action again with its Porsche RS Spyder. Ex Formula 1 driver, Jos Verstappen and team owner, Peter van Merksteijn will be taking part in the second season round of the Le Mans Series at the circuit of Monza in Italy.

The season opener in Spain three weeks ago saw Verstappen and Van Merksteijn claiming victory in the LMP2 category upon the European racing debut of the Porsche RS Spyder. The start of next Sunday’s race at 12.50 pm can be seen live on Eurosport. On Sunday evening at 23.00 h, Eurosport will be broadcasting the highlights of the race. Specialised channel, Motors TV is broadcasting the entire race live.

With victory during the premiere at the Circuit de Catalunya, Jos Verstappen and Peter van Merksteijn generated a lot of media coverage, both in The Netherlands and abroad.

"We received a lot of feedback, we couldn’t have hoped for a better debut", says team owner, Peter van Merksteijn. Jos Verstappen, too has fond memories looking back upon his maiden race with the Porsche RS Syder. "My return in motor racing after an absence of two years and then such a result, that was just great!"

While Jeroen Bleekemolen will racing at the Circuit de Catalunya in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup this weekend, trying to emulate the success Verstappen and Van Merksteijn had there earlier this month in the Le Mans series, the winners from Barcelona will be coming to Monza for the second LMS round of the season leading the points’ standings in the LMP2 category.

The "Monza 1000 kilometres" is one of the classic endurance events in motor racing, history of the meeting going back to 1953.

Jos Verstappen knows the 5.973 kilometres long circuit near Milan from his days in Formula 1. Back in 2000, he finished fourth in the Italian Grand Prix. "I always feel quite well there.

Braking late is important at Monza and that suits me. There are only few corners, most of the circuit is made up of long straights. A good balance under braking is crucial and then you have to take enough speed out of the corners to be fast on the straights.

I consider the other Porsche teams to be our main opponents in the category. In terms of speed, I have a lot of confidence in the Porsche RS Spyder!" Peter van Merksteijn is also looking forward to the upcoming race weekend. "Of course, Monza is a magnificent circuit with a great tradition. Being able to race here is very nice. It will certainly not be easy, but we will do our best to get a good result here as well."

At Monza, there are two free practice sessions on Friday, April 25th, from 12.40 till 13.40 and from 16.25 till 17.25 h. On Saturday, April 26th, there is another free practice session from 10.05 till 11.05 h, followed by qualifying for LMP1 and LMP2 prototypes from 14.05 till 14.25 h.

Warm-up is on Sunday morning from 9.00 till 9.20 h, the race with a distance of 173 laps or 1002.189 kilometres will get underway at 12.50 h, the maximum duration is six hours.

- René de BOER -
photos will be on automobilsport.com under PHOTOS - LE MANS SERIES