Öttl was third in the first race of the season and then a faller while leading race two in tricky conditions at Motorland just a few days ago. Having already proven his podium pace in his first race of the 2021 season Öttl is ready to make up for lost points and push hard to get back into the top places in the championship table.
Currently seventh overall, Philipp has good reason to want to get back to the Estoril circuit he raced at for his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing squad last year, leaving with a WorldSSP career best second place finish in race one and then a fifth place in race two. The prospect of two podiums this year, and the possibility of his first win in WorldSSP since joining the class last season, are strong motivating factors for the German rider.
Öncü was unlucky with tyre choice in race two at the opening Motorland round but is out to improve his overall finishes, and Superpole qualifying in Estoril. 16th on the grid left him 10th and then 14th in the races in Spain last week, but he knows a lot more is possible at the Estoril round - and throughout 2021.
The 4.182km long Estoril circuit is a very different track to Motorland in many ways, formed inside an overall tighter layout, and with many more changes of direction and short straights. The 2021 season is only the second time WorldSSP has ever raced at Estoril.
Last year Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Lucas Mahias (now riding for the same team in WorldSBK) won the second Estoril WorldSSP race, the last one of the season, which proves in the clearest possible way just what the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R can do at the Portuguese track.
Race days at Estoril will be Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May. The subsequent round will be at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy, between 11-13 June.
Philipp Öttl, stated: “I’m pleased to head back to Estoril again. Last year I immediately got on well at the track and I can’t wait to return and start practicing, as we look for the right set-up for my Kawasaki. I’m coming from a round where I had alternating results, with a podium but also a crash, so I can’t make any more mistakes if I want to fight for the title. It will be an important round and I’m focused on giving 100%.”
Can Öncü, stated: “After a difficult weekend at Motorland, I can’t wait to race at Estoril, where I want to score some good results for me and the team, who have worked so hard for me. I hope the weather is favourable this time and I’ll be giving it my all in the hope we can achieve the kind of results we deserve.”
As well as the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders Motorland podium rider Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) will be out to improve on his second place finish from race two in Spain. He is currently third in the overall championship positions.
Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) got his points tally off the mark in Spain, as he sits 18th in the championship standings. Leonardo Taccini (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Shogo Kawasaki (Motozoo Puccetti Racing) will try to get into the points scoring positions at Estoril.
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