Motorsport

Kevin Estre pulls ahead in the title battle

Kévin Estre (F/Attempto Racing) gave an inspired performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland on the race track in Oscherleben. On Saturday, the 24-year-old championship leader clinched victory and continued his top form on Sunday to claim win number two ahead of his teammate Nicki Thiim (DK/Attempto Racing). “This race was 100% adrenalin-fuelled. At first I had built a good gap in the lead, but then Nicki caught me. Although he put me under pressure, I managed to counter his attacks and go on to win. Of course, my ultimate aim is the title,” said Estre, who has extended his points’ lead advantage after 13 of 17 races. Estre’s seventh win so far this season has earned him 201 points. Behind him in second is Thiim with 184 points and Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport, 165 points).

The action-packed race with the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars treated spectators in the grandstands and at the TV screens to some breathtaking fights for positions with strategic overtaking manoeuvres. After Estre made the most of his pole position and pulled clear of the field over the laps, the rest of the pack squabbled for spots behind him. In lap two, Thiim passed Philipp Eng (A/Logiplus MRS-Racing), who had started from the second grid spot. Taking up the sprint from eleventh on the grid, Sean Edwards (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) worked his way up the pack and after a drawn-out battle with Eng even managed to slip into third. The accident of Pieter Schothorst (NL/Team Bleekemolen) in lap twelve resulted in a safety car phase: Edward’s overtook Eng during the caution phase and the ensuing drive-through penalty cost the Briton critical points towards the title fight. He finished in 27th. The order at the flag: Estre ahead of Thiim and Eng.

Once again, the two Porsche juniors earned important points and gained even more experience. The 19-year-old Spaniard, Alex Riberas (Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision) concluded the race in ninth. “That’s okay. But at the remaining races I would like to finish further up the field,” said Riberas of his race. The American Connor de Phillippi (Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport) crossed the finish line in twelfth: “I was generally quick today, but at one point I took a detour through the gravel and lost a lot of places. Now for the rest of the season I want to pull out all stops. I’m looking forward to Zandvoort and Hockenheim.”

The bid for the title in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland still remains open. 80 points are still up for grabs from the remaining events. Races 14 and 15 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland will be contested from 27 to 29 September in the Dutch coastal town of Zandvoort. Local heroes Pieter and Bas Schothorst (both Team Bleekemolen), as well as Jaap van Lagen and Wolf Nathan (both FE Racing by Land – Motorsport) are particularly eager to race in front of home crowds on the 4.307 kilometre dune circuit.

Result race 13

1. Kévin Estre (F/Attempto Racing)
2. Nicki Thiim (DK/Attempto Racing)
3. Philipp Eng (A/Logiplus MRS-Racing)
4. Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport)
5. Robert Lukas (PL/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport)
6. Norbert Siedler (A/Aust Motorsport)
7. Christopher Zoechling (A/Konrad Motorsport)
8. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1)
9. Alex Riberas (E/Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision),
10. Sean Johnston (USA/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1)

Points’ standings after 13 of 17 races

Driver classification

1. Kévin Estre (Attempto Racing), 201 points
2. Nicki Thiim (DK/Attempto Racing), 184
3. Christian Engelhart (D/Konrad Motorsport), 165
4. Norbert Siedler (A/Aust Motorsport), 148
5. Sean Edwards (GB/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1), 146

Amateur classification

1. Rolf Ineichen (CH/Konrad Motorsport), 206
2. Dominic Jöst (D/Attempto Racing), 187
3. Wolf Nathan (NL/FE Racing by Land-Motorsport), 153

Rookie classification

1. Connor de Phillippi (USA/Förch Racing by Lukas Motorsport), 86
2. Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Team Deutsche Post by Project 1), 81
3. Alex Riberas (E/Attempto Racing powered by Motorvision), 66

Team classification

1. Attempto Racing, 387
2. Konrad Motorsport, 237
3. Förch Racing By Lukas Motorsport 1, 199