Austria’s Philipp Eng (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) scored first place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland race on Sunday. After a gripping duel with Porsche junior Sven Müller (D/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1), Eng relegated his teammate to second place on the Nürburgring, with Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Academy ME) clinching third. “It’s not every day you win a race from sixth on the grid. When I stood up there on the podium I felt absolutely thrilled,” said the beaming winner, who comes from Salzburg but lives in Stuttgart.
After a turbulent race in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland on Saturday, spectators were treated to an enthralling team duel at Sunday’s round. Since Nicki Thiim (DK/QPOD Walter Lechner Racing) was unable to compete due to the damage his vehicle sustained the previous day, the first row grid spot next to Müller remained empty. The 22-year-old Müller from Germany’s Rhine region got away well at the start and settled in at the front of the field. In the second lap, however, he made a braking error which saw Pieter Schothorst (Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing) sweep into the lead. When Schothorst opened the door slightly in the next lap, Müller grabbed his chance. The two swapped paint, with Schothorst falling back down the order to finish in 24th place.
From lap three Eng stuck close to Müller’s bumper. The Project-1 pilots fought wheel to wheel at the front, with Eng finally snatching the lead in lap thirteen and bringing home a safe victory. “At times I was flirting with victory, but the level of competition in the team doesn’t allow the slightest mistake. Still, I’m thrilled I’ve earned some important championship points,” explained Müller. Schmidt was also pleased with his third place: “This gives me new strength and motivation for the rest of the season. We now want to carry on from where we left off.” His teammate Clemens Schmidt (Lechner Racing Academy ME) saw the flag in fourth, however the Austrian was handed a time penalty for gaining an advantage after cutting a chicane.
A hard but fair fight raged between the Konrad pilots Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport) and Christopher Zöchling (A/Konrad Motorsport) for the next positions. Michael Ammermüller (D/Walter Lechner Racing Team) put in a spirited performance, coming from 15th on the grid to finish in sixth.
After receiving a drive-through penalty, Porsche junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport) was flagged off in 18th. The 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Porsche junior Alex Riberas (E/Attempto Racing by Häring) could not be repaired in time for the race after an accident on Saturday. “That’s really frustrating, particularly because the crash was not my fault. Now I just have to look ahead,” explained Riberas.
After twelve of 18 races, Engelhart now leads the series with 129 points. Earl Bamber (NZ/Team 75 Bernhard) ranks second with 128 points. Due to the New Zealander’s race commitments in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia where he clinched first and second place at the double-header there this weekend, he is unable to continue competing in Germany. Trailing Bamber in third is Ammermüller with 124 points ahead of Porsche junior Müller (116).
The seventh championship weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place from 12 to 14 September on the Lausitzring. The 3.478 kilometre circuit lies within a high-speed oval – a layout that is unique in Germany. Nicki Thiim (QPOD Walter Lechner Racing) from Denmark has won here three times and heads to races 13 and 14 feeling highly motivated. “I’m very much looking forward to the races as I’ve always performed really well on this circuit in the past. I’m determined to finish on the top of the podium again,” said the 25-year-old.
