The man of the first Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland weekend was Christian Engelhart (TECE MRS-Racing). The 28-year-old German won the first two races of the season on the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. On Saturday he relegated Alex Riberas (E/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) and Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport) to positions two and three, and on Sunday the Bavarian beat Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East) and Barker. “Two pole positions, two victories, two fastest race laps – I’ve never done this well. That was truly a sensational start to the season for me,” said Engelhart, beaming with joy.
Because of rain, the field set off into the race behind the safety car. Engelhart used the tactical opportunity of the flying start to immediately build a slight gap. Trailing him was Schmidt und Barker. In the sixth lap, the safety car was deployed once again when two vehicles had to be towed out of the gravel. Afterwards, Engelhart lost his advantage and in the final lap it came down to a sprint to the finish line between him and Schmidt, with Engelhart taking the flag just six-tenths of a second in front. “When I realised we only had three laps left I knew it was time for max attack! But Christian Engelhart closed the door every time and I just couldn’t get past him. Next time, however, I’ll be the one at the top of the podium,” said Schmidt, throwing down the gauntlet. Barker said, “Today the rain made the circuit really slippery. But I’m very pleased with two podium results.”
Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) saw the flag in fourth and seemed happy with his result at just his second race in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland: “I almost even achieved a podium place under these difficult conditions! Now I’m pleased to have earned some important points,” said the 18-year-old Italian. Behind Cairoli, Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport) crossed the finish line in fifth. “The race was good and I had a strong car. At times, I locked horns with Eng, and I won. Now I’m looking forward to the next race weekend on the Nordschleife,” said de Phillippi.
Wolf Nathan (Land-Motorsport) from the Netherlands scored victory at race two in the B-classification. The best rookie pilot was Pepe Massot (KÜS Team75 Bernhard) from Spain. Porsche Board Member for R&D Wolfgang Hatz and Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of the GT Motorsport Programme and GT production sports cars, presented the trophies at the award ceremony on Sunday. In the championship rankings, Engelhart leads with 40 points ahead of Schmidt und Barker, both with 32 points. At the end of the season, more than half a million Euros in prize money will be paid out in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
The next race weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place from 14 to 16 May as part of the 24-hour race on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring.
Race 2 result
1. Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing)
2. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East)
3. Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport)
4. Matteo Cairoli (I/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1)
5. Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport)
Points’ standings after 2 of 17 races
Driver classification
2. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East)
3. Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport)
4. Matteo Cairoli (I/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1)
5. Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land-Motorsport)
Points’ standings after 2 of 17 races
Driver classification
1. Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing), 40 points
2. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East), 32 points
3. Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport), 32 points
