Glorious sunshine once again greeted the protagonists in the Prototype Cup Germany for their second qualifying session at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Pavel Lefterov (27/BUL, Konrad Motorsport) was sitting pretty in first place midway through the 15-minute session, but was replaced at the top of the timings sheet by Mattis Pluschkell (20/Elmenhorst, BWT Mücke Motorsport) with roughly six minutes remaining. Not long after that, Pluschkell’s team-mate Mattias Bjerre Jakobsen (18/DEN, BWT Mücke Motorsport) climbed into second place to set up what looked like being a one-two for the BWT Mücke Motorsport team. However, that did not last for long, as Valentino Catalano (19/Westheim, Badischer Motorsport Club) made his move and took second place. This order then remained the same through to the end of qualifying.
“It was a curious qualifying, as the conditions actually promised faster lap times,” said Pluschkell. “My second flying lap was solid, but then there was no improvement after that. I was expecting to finish outside the top three, so it was a lovely surprise to actually take pole position.” He had not reckoned with setting the fastest time in only his second qualifying in an LMP3 car. “I am still struggling a bit here in Hockenheim. The track is very slippery, which I have not experienced before in an LMP3 car.” Pluschkell does not view himself and his team-mate Maksymilian Angelard (17/POL, BWT Mücke Motorsport) as favourites for this afternoon’s race, but rather the second Mücke pairing of Riccardo Leone Cirelli (17/ITA) and Jakobsen. “Our podium yesterday means we must remain stationary for an extra two seconds during our pit stop. Riccardo and Mattias do not have any extra seconds. However, we will obviously do our very best to head home with the winners’ trophy.”
Catalano, who won yesterday’s race and ended qualifying in second place, must spend a whole eleven seconds longer in the pit lane. “I am relaxed about the race and not putting myself under any pressure. I believe second place is a good starting position, and my car felt good.”
Jakobsen and Cirelli will start the fourth race of the season from third place on the grid. “Qualifying was okay, as the top three is always our goal. However, I did not manage to put together a lap in which I got everything right. Plus, I had two times at the start of the session scratched for failing to observe track limits, which does not exactly fill you with confidence. However, our second car with Mattis at the wheel showed what should be possible,” said Jakobsen.
Lefterov ended qualifying in fourth place, followed by Mikkel C. Johansen (37/DEN, Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport), Maxim Dirickx (21/BEL, Aust Motorsport), Alexzander Kristiansson (25/SWE), Jérémy Siffert (21/SUI, both Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport) and Thomas Ambiel (45/Eppingen, Rinaldi Racing).
