Podium success for Octane Finance at Zandvoort

The pair headed to the Dutch circuit bidding to maintain the impressive form they have displayed so far in 2023, with the weekend marking the first time they would race together after Rob took up a guest drive in the German series.

Having been quickest in practice in his Allied-Racing run car, Harry qualified in fourth place for the opening race of the weekend, putting him directly ahead of Rob - who was sixth-best in a car being entered by HRT Performance but engineered by his usual Richardson Racing team.

After an early stoppage to clear up an accident, Harry and Rob would run together throughout the race in third and fourth place, allowing Harry to take his place on the podium and Rob to secure top rookie honours.

Race two would see the pair once again embroiled in battle, but this time it would be Rob who came out on top as he was able to get ahead following a mid-race safety car period to earn the final place on the podium and a second rookie win.

Fourth for Harry saw him move ahead of Loek Hartog into second place in the points ahead of the next event at the Nürburgring, which will come after a busy spell of four meetings in the Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup.

In his usual Carrera Cup Benelux drive, Rob qualified third on the grid but came out of a titanic lap one battle that saw him run three wide with two of his rivals to secure a fine race win.

Race two however would be a more challenging affair, with Rob run wide on the opening lap to drop him back down to seventh place.

Despite multiple safety car periods, and a red flag stoppage, Rob was able to battle his way through to second place on the road but the teenager was one of a number of drivers to be handed penalties post-race for a safety car infringement that dropped him to ninth in the pro class.

Despite that, he retains his advantage as championship leader.

Harry King, #19 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, said:

"It would have been nice to secure another win to take into the little break we have coming up in Carrera Cup Deutschland, but it’s been a positive weekend as a whole.

"We have picked up more silverware and a good haul of points towards the championship, which has allowed me to move up into second place. At this stage, it’s all about putting those points on the board so I’m pleased with how things have panned out."

Robert de Haan, #46 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, said:

"It was a fantastic feeling to be able to secure a win at my home circuit, and it only makes me more determined to try and pick up more victories over the rest of the season to try and secure the title.

"Getting a podium finish on my first weekend racing in Carrera Cup Deutschland was also brilliant and gives me a lot of confidence considering how strong the grid is."