After the conclusion of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Monza last Sunday, the final part of the season will see the Monaco Increase Management contracted driver Lirim Zendeli remain in Italy as he switches back his attention to the final three rounds of the equally hard-fought Porsche Carrera Cup Italia domestic series.

The young German, who finished Supercup in P12 overall and P5 in the Rookies’ classification, will hope to put the Europe-wide experience accumulated against his hardened and more experienced rivals in the eight rounds of the prestigious one-make series to good use as he aims to consolidate an overall fourth place and leadership of the Rookies’ ranking in the domestic series.

And the Ombra Racing driver has every chance of doing so at this weekend’s fourth round at Imola’s Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, given the absence of the all-conquering Larry ten Voorde (Enrico Fulgenzi Racing) due to a clashing event, and thanks to his greater familiarity with the Italian circuits.

Zendeli, whose best results in the six races held so far are two third place podium finishes at Misano and Mugello, currently leads the Rookies’ classification with 75 points, 25 ahead of his nearest rival Francesco Braschi (Dinamic Motorsport).

“After Monza, now it’s time to concentrate on the Carrera Cup Italia, where we have a good standing there, P1 in the Rookies,” declared Zendeli. “For sure I want to win this rookie title, but let’s see, maybe I can fight for P3 in the total championship. Why not? I’m down some points, but everything is possible. I know the tracks as well so that makes a big difference. Imola is next, Vallelunga will be new with this car, but Imola and Monza we know. At Monza I’ll have to get my revenge for last Sunday for sure, but at Imola I cannot really have my revenge. I think the Carrera Cup Italy race was not too bad there, while the Supercup one was kind of like this last weekend, but I’m going to recharge myself and motivate myself again well for this last Sprint. And I’m looking forward to it definitely!”

The fourth round of the season gets underway on Friday 6 September with free practice scheduled from 2.50 pm to 3.50 pm (CEST). Qualifying will be on Saturday morning starting at 10.15 am and the 40-minute session will decide the starting grids for the two races. Race 1 will take place on Saturday at 4.25 pm, while Race 2 will conclude the weekend on Sunday, starting at 12.00 pm.

OVERALL STANDINGS

ROOKIES STANDINGS