The first free practice at Spa-Francorchamps officially kicked off the 2025 season of the Prototype Cup Germany. Mattias Bjerre Jakobsen (18/DEN) and Riccardo Leone Cirelli (17/ITA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) ended the session in first place, with second place going to Oscar Tunjo (29/COL) / Mikkel C. Johansen (37/DEN, both Gebhardt Motorsport). Maxim Dirickx (20/BEL) / Sven Barth (44/Eberbach, both Aust Motorsport) were third fastest.
“It was a good free practice,” said Mattias Bjerre Jakobsen. “The track dried out with every lap. We still stayed out on the wet tyres, even though they were at the limit in places and overheating somewhat at the end of the session. I hope we have a dry track in FP2, so we can practice in those conditions too.” The Dane is convinced he is racing in the right championship. “We have a good quality field with some really strong competitors and a calendar featuring some great circuits.”
Maxim Dirickx, the only Belgian in the field, was also satisfied with third place at his home event. “My team-mate Sven Barth was in the car for the first part of free practice, and he was fast. I drove later, and was also on good form. I was second until shortly before the end of the session, then the asphalt started to dry out and I dropped back to third place. Generally speaking, however, I feel very good in the car.”
Mattis Pluschkell (20/Elmenhorst) and Maksymilian Angelard (17/POL, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) were fourth, followed by Keanu Al-Azhari (17/UAE, Mühlner Motorsport) and the pairing of Danny Soufi (21/USA) and Pavel Lefterov (27/BUL, both Konrad Motorsport). “The deal with Konrad Motorsport for the Prototype Cup Germany only came about late on. I am really happy with it and pleased to be driving alongside Danny Soufi. He is a good teacher for me, as he has a lot of experience in LMP3 cars and is also very fast,” said Lefterov. One place behind the Konrad duo was Thomas Ambiel (45/Eppingen, Rinaldi Racing). “It was a free practice, in which I learned a lot. I am yet to get many laps under my belt in an LMP3 car, and the track in Spa is a real challenge – and an even greater challenge in the wet. However, everything went well. I am thrilled to be here driving these great cars.” Rounding out the top eight were Alexzander Kristiansson (25/SWE) and Michael Herich (47/Brühl, both Gebhardt Motorsport).
