Valentino Catalano (19/Westheim, Badischer Motorsport Club) secured pole position for the opening race of the Prototype Cup Germany at the Norisring. In doing so, he became the first driver this weekend set a lap time below the 49-second mark in an LMP3 car. Danny Soufi (21/USA, Konrad Motorsport) ended qualifying in second place, ahead of Jacob Erlbacher (24/Böblingen, Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport) in third.
Having dominated qualifying at the Norisring when the Prototype Cup Germany visited the iconic street circuit two years ago, and set the pace in both free practices yesterday alongside team-mate Oscar Tunjo (29/COL, Badischer Motorsport Club), Catalano came into this morning’s qualifying session as the favourite. And he lived up to that billing. “My fastest lap was good, the car feels good, and I am always right at home at the Norisring,” was the brief summary from the happy Gebhardt driver. Despite this, there are some differences to 2023. “Because I am in a different team to 2023, the car is totally different. As such, I have to change my driving style to make it work.” The teenager is optimistic ahead of the race. “We did a lot of laps in the free practices yesterday, and were already fast towards the end of the sessions. I definitely go into this afternoon’s race full of confidence.”
Championship leader Danny Soufi was second fastest in qualifying. “Yesterday, we were still working on the car set-up. Today, we were able to put our foot down. With the exception of the final turn, in which I had a few problems, I am happy. I would obviously have liked to have got closer to Valentino’s lap time, but he is really strong at the Norisring. Anyway, we start from scratch again in the race.”
Pole-sitter Catalano will see a team-mate behind him on the grid, as Jacob Erlbacher took third place in qualifying. “We had some engine damage yesterday, but the car was running really well again today once we had replaced the engine. Unfortunately, I did not put together the perfect lap – that was partly down to traffic, and partly my fault.” He collided with Maksymilian Angelard (17/POL, BWT Mücke Motorsport) on his final attempt. “That was really frustrating, because I was on another flying lap and could have improved my position.”
Lining up behind the top three will be Riccardo Leone Cirelli (17/ITA, BWT Mücke Motorsport), Maxim Dirickx (21/BEL, Aust Motorsport), Angelard, Thomas Ambiel (45/Eppingen, Rinaldi Racing) and Michael Herich (47/Brühl, Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsport). Race one of the Prototype Cup Germany at the Norisring gets underway at 15:30 and will be streamed live at youtube.com/adacmotorsports.
